Movers

Idaho to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 2,381 mile interstate move from Idaho to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce on Chicken
  • DC housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in DC is 48.54% more expensive than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to DC will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended Idaho to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

Idaho to DC Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to DC

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Limited job market
  • Remote location
  • Few cultural events
  • Extreme winters
  • Lack of public transit
ProsDC iconDC
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • International airports
  • World-class museums
  • Mild climate
  • Robust metro system

DC iconDC
  • Urban congestion
  • High rent prices
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Limited green spaces
  • High noise levels
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Low cost of living
  • Close-knit communities
  • Outdoor activities
  • Peaceful environment

Pros of moving from Idaho to DC

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from remote location and moving to DC with international airports
  • Swap the few cultural events of Idaho for world-class museums in DC
  • Get ready for mild climate in DC

Cons of moving from Idaho to DC

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in Idaho to live with urban congestion in DC
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of high rent prices
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to fast-paced lifestyle in DC
  • Swap outdoor activities for limited green spaces

Idaho vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoDC
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishTroutMumbo Sauce on Chicken
Most popular street food itemFinger SteaksFood Trucks Variety
Most popular vegan foodWild Huckleberry PieVegetable Curry
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Boise Fry Company
  • The Old Spaghetti Factory
  • Duckworth's Grill and Bar
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai Cafe
  • Zaytinya
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to DC, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce on Chicken and Food Trucks Variety to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Huckleberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Curry of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, The Old Spaghetti Factory, and Duckworth's Grill and Bar. 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, Rosa's Thai Cafe, and Zaytinya.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and DC

ComparisonIdahoDC
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchFederal, Victorian
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsProximity to metro, vibrant neighborhoods
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and vibrant neighborhoods.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • DC has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • DC housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in DC is 48.54% more expensive than in Idaho.

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

ComparisonIdahoDC
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsHurricanes, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 50°F89°F / 71°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 16°F47°F / 30°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)18.939.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)59.915.4
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to DC. DC gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
  • DC has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in DC.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 4 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 20.8 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and DC

ComparisonIdahoDC
Avg. Household Income$72,785$101,027
Cost of Living Index91.5140.1
State Income Tax6.5%10.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TechnologyGovernment, Education, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowNotable
HomelessnessScatteredPronounced
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 39% more than in Idaho
  • The COLI in DC is 53% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in DC is 10.75% compared to 6.5% in ID
  • The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is notable in DC compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is scattered in Idaho and pronounced in DC

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. DC

ComparisonIdahoDC
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Stronghold
ReligionChristian MajorityDiverse Religious Landscape
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • D.C., on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • D.C.'s religious environment can be described as diverse religious landscape
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to DC

ComparisonIdahoDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary School (Boise)
White Pine Elementary School (Boise)
Andrus Elementary School (Boise)
Lafayette Elementary School (Washington)
Janney Elementary School (Washington)
Mann Elementary School (Washington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High School (Boise)
Les Bois Junior High School (Boise)
East Junior High School (Boise)
Deal Middle School (Washington)
Hardy Middle School (Washington)
Stuart-Hobson Middle School (Washington)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Borah High School (Boise)
School Without Walls High School (Washington)
Banneker High School (Washington)
McKinley Technology High School (Washington)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Christian School (Coeur d'Alene)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington)
Georgetown Day School (Washington)
The Field School (Washington)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington)
Georgetown Day School (Washington)
Washington International School (Washington)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
Idaho Falls School District
Blaine County School District
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
BASIS DC
KIPP DC

How Much Do Idaho to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 2,381 miles from Idaho to DC will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,552300 ft3$8.51
1 Bedroom$3,806450 ft3$8.46
2 Bedrooms$6,306750 ft3$8.41
3 Bedrooms$9,1941100 ft3$8.36
4 Bedrooms$13,2921600 ft3$8.31
5+ Bedrooms$14,8641800 ft3$8.26

Top Idaho to DC Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Idaho to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details