Movers

DC to Texas Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 1,555 mile interstate move from DC to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Brisket BBQ), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs ranch and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce wings, but get your taste buds ready for Brisket BBQ & Texas chili (no beans)
  • Texas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Texas is 29.45% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Texas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended DC to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

DC to Texas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Texas

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited parking
  • Harsh winters
  • High taxes
ProsTexas iconTexas
  • Lower housing prices
  • Less crowded roads
  • Ample parking spaces
  • Milder winters
  • No state income tax

Texas iconTexas
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Car-dependent
  • Limited food options
  • Hot summers
DC iconDC
  • Rich culture and history
  • Public transportation
  • Diverse cuisine
  • Beautiful springtime

Pros of moving from DC to Texas

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing prices
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Texas with less crowded roads
  • Swap the limited parking of DC for ample parking spaces in Texas
  • Get ready for milder winters in Texas

Cons of moving from DC to Texas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich culture and history in DC to live with fewer historic sites in Texas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of public transportation and have to settle for the con of being car-dependent
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to limited food options in Texas
  • Swap beautiful springtime for hot summers

DC vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCTexas
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokeBrisket BBQ
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce wingsTexas chili (no beans)
Most popular street food itemJumbo slice pizzaTacos al pastor
Most popular vegan foodVegetable-forward dishesTex-Mex inspired vegan dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Franklin Barbecue
  • Snow's BBQ
  • Torchy's Tacos
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to Texas, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Brisket BBQ of Texas. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce wings and sumptuous Jumbo slice pizza, Texas residents know they have tasty Texas chili (no beans) and Tacos al pastor to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable-forward dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tex-Mex inspired vegan dishes of Texas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Jose AndrΓ©s Restaurants. After the boxes are unpacked in Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas' acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Snow's BBQ, and Torchy's Tacos.

When comparing lifestyles, Texas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Texas compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Texas.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Texas

ComparisonDCTexas
Typical Architecture StyleFederal and VictorianRanch and Colonial
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to Metro, historic charmSpacious lots, outdoor living spaces
  • The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Colonial architecture typical of Texas.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the metro and historic charm, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and outdoor living spaces.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Texas is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Texas is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Texas has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Texas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Texas is 29.45% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Texas

ComparisonDCTexas
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateVaries Widely
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7194/72
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47/2960/38
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39.7421-50 (Varies by region)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)13.80-4 (Varies greatly by region)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Texas. Texas gets 15% more sunshine days than DC.
  • Texas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 5 degrees warmer than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Texas. Texas receives 18.7 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Texas

ComparisonDCTexas
Avg. Household Income$101,027$72,284
Cost of Living Index140.191.1
State Income Tax6.0%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%1.80%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%8.25%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, HealthcareOil & Gas, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessNoticeableModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Texas tend to earn about 28% less than in DC
  • The COLI in Texas will be 35% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Texas is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in Texas compared to low in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in DC and moderate in Texas

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Texas

ComparisonDCTexas
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticLeans Republican, but with increasing Democratic areas
Local PoliticsHigh emphasis on federal government and international affairsStrong state governance focus, with significant attention to local businesses and <a href="https://www.texaschamber.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">economies</a>
ReligionDiverse, with no single denomination dominatingPrimarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops)
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Texas, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican, but with increasing Democratic areas
  • Texas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Catholic population (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops)
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with no single denomination dominating

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Texas

ComparisonDCTexas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
George Washington University
University of Maryland
University of Texas at Austin
Texas A&M University
University of Houston
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMann Elementary (Washington)
Janney Elementary (Washington)
Eaton Elementary (Washington)
West University Elementary (Houston)
Canyon Creek Elementary (Austin)
Caruthers Elementary (San Antonio)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School (Washington)
Hardy Middle School (Washington)
McKinley Middle School (Washington)
Coppell Middle School East (Coppell)
Hudson Bend Middle School (Austin)
Fort Settlement Middle School (Sugar Land)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWilson High School (Washington)
School Without Walls High School (Washington)
Banneker High School (Washington)
Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin)
School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas)
School of Science and Engineering (Dallas)
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School (Washington)
St. Albans School (Washington)
Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda)
St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas)
The Kinkaid School (Houston)
Greenhill School (Addison)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGeorgetown Day School (Washington)
Maret School (Washington)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington)
The Hockaday School (Dallas)
St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin)
The John Cooper School (The Woodlands)
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsEanes Independent School District (Austin)
Carroll Independent School District (Southlake)
Coppell Independent School District (Coppell)

How Much Do DC to Texas Movers Cost?

Moving 1,555 miles from DC to Texas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,084300 ft3$6.95
1 Bedroom$3,104450 ft3$6.90
2 Bedrooms$5,135750 ft3$6.85
3 Bedrooms$7,4771100 ft3$6.80
4 Bedrooms$10,7951600 ft3$6.75
5+ Bedrooms$12,0541800 ft3$6.70

Top DC to Texas Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Texas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery featured image

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

Best moving company overall for DC to Texas

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details