Florida to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 918 mile interstate move from Florida to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricanes vs four seasons), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Half Smoke), real estate & housing (mediterranean, art deco vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Half Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in DC is 7.85% more expensive than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Florida to DC movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to DC
- Hurricanes
- Humidity
- Flat terrain
- Limited public transport
- Four seasons
- Mild summers
- Picturesque landscapes
- Efficient metro system
- No coastline
- Higher cost of living
- Cold winters
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Sunny beaches
- Lower taxes
- Year-round warmth
- Casual lifestyle
Pros of moving from Florida to DC
- Say goodbye to hurricanes and hello to four seasons
- Look forward to moving away from humidity and moving to DC with mild summers
- Swap the flat terrain of Florida for picturesque landscapes in DC
- Get ready for an efficient metro system in DC
Cons of moving from Florida to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunny beaches in Florida to live with no coastline in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower taxes and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- It's time to bid farewell to year-round warmth and get used to cold winters in DC
- Swap a casual lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle
Florida vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Half Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Food Trucks Variety |
Most popular vegan food | AΓ§aΓ Bowl | Vegetable Bowl |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Florida to DC, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Half Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Tacos, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Food Trucks Variety to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the AΓ§aΓ Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Bowl of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joeβs Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and The Floridian. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Roseβs Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and DC
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mediterranean, Art Deco | Federal, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Beach Access | Proximity to Metro, Rooftop Decks |
- The Mediterranean and Art Deco architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pool and beach access, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro access and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Florida.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Florida.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Florida.
- DC housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in DC is 7.85% more expensive than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and DC
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms | Snowstorms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 47Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 15.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to DC. DC gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- DC has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and flooding in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 3 degrees colder than in Florida.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC, as it receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and DC
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4-8.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.05% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Federal Government, Education, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Manageable | Challenging |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Rising |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 46% more than in Florida
- The COLI in DC will be 43% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from FL to DC, you'll now have a state income tax of 4-8.95%
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Florida
- The poverty level is challenging in DC compared to manageable in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Florida and rising in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. DC
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican in recent elections | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies by region; stronger Republican influence in rural areas | Dominantly Democratic; local policies heavily favor progressive agendas |
Religion | Diverse; Christianity predominant | Wide variety; Christianity prevalent, but more secular viewpoint overall |
- Florida tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in recent elections in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as a wide variety, with Christianity prevalent but a more secular viewpoint overall
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christianity predominant
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to DC
Comparison | Florida | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School - Osprey Archimedean Academy - Miami Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies - Cocoa Beach | Janney Elementary School - Washington Mann Elementary School - Washington Key Elementary School - Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami Pine View School - Osprey Carrollwood Day School - Tampa | Deal Middle School - Washington Hardy Middle School - Washington Eliot-Hine Middle School - Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Pine View School - Osprey School for Advanced Studies (SAS) - Miami Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami | Benjamin Banneker Academic High School - Washington School Without Walls High School - Washington McKinley Technology High School - Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School - Miami Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale The Bolles School - Jacksonville | Georgetown Day School - Washington Sidwell Friends School - Washington St. Albans School - Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale The Bolles School - Jacksonville Ransom Everglades School - Miami | Georgetown Day School - Washington Sidwell Friends School - Washington Maret School - Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Florida to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 918 miles from Florida to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,464 | 300 ft3 | $4.88 |
1 Bedroom | $2,178 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,597 | 750 ft3 | $4.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,230 | 1100 ft3 | $4.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,539 | 1600 ft3 | $4.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,404 | 1800 ft3 | $4.67 |
Top Florida to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to DC