Indiana to Washington Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 2,169 mile interstate move from Indiana to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Salmon), real estate & housing (midwestern, craftsman vs northwest, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Breaded Pork Tenderloin, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Cedar-Planked Salmon
- Washington housing costs are 149% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Washington is 46.11% more expensive than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More
Indiana to Washington Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Washington
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor activities
- Flat terrain
- Fewer tech jobs
- Less cultural diversity
- Milder climate
- Diverse nature activities
- Varied landscapes
- Thriving tech industry
- Rich in diversity
- Higher cost of living
- More transient population
- Earthquake risk
- Faster pace of life
- Traffic congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Strong sense of community
- Fewer natural disasters
- Simple and relaxed living
- Easier travel in state
Pros of moving from Indiana to Washington
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Washington with diverse nature activities
- Swap the flat terrain of Indiana for varied landscapes in Washington
- Get ready for a thriving tech industry in Washington
Cons of moving from Indiana to Washington
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with a higher cost of living in Washington
- You'll lose out on the pro of a strong sense of community and have to settle for the con of a more transient population
- Time to bid farewell to fewer natural disasters and get used to the earthquake risk in Washington
- Swap simple and relaxed living for a faster pace of life
Indiana vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Breaded Pork Tenderloin | Cedar-Planked Salmon |
Most popular street food item | Deep Fried Pickles | Teriyaki |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowl | Foraged Mushroom Dish |
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 Indiana to Washington, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Breaded Pork Tenderloin and sumptuous Deep Fried Pickles, Washington residents know they have tasty Cedar-Planked Salmon and Teriyaki to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Foraged Mushroom Dish of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, The Thursday Pint, and The Local Egg CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and The Herbfarm.
When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Washington.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Washington
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern, Craftsman | Northwest, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, family-friendly | Eco-friendly features, access to nature |
- The Midwestern and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Northwest and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and being family-friendly, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly designs and access to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Washington has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Washington housing costs are 149% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Washington is 46.11% more expensive than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Washington
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Storms | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 75Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 20Β°F | 47Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 38 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Indiana to Washington. Washington gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Indiana.
- Washington has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 10 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Washington
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $91,306 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 104.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.98% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9.17% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 37% more than those in Indiana
- The COLI in Washington is 12% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- Hooray, moving to WA means you will no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and high in Washington
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Washington
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate with conservative strongholds | Progressive, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christian, with a significant evangelical component | Mix of religious beliefs, with a higher rate of unaffiliated individuals |
- Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Washington's religious environment can be described as a mix of religious beliefs, with a higher rate of unaffiliated individuals
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with a significant evangelical component
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Washington
Comparison | Indiana | Washington |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | University of Washington Washington State University Seattle University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Smoky Row Elementary (Carmel) Burbank Elementary (Hammond) College Wood Elementary (Carmel) | Cascade K-8 (Shoreline) Bertschi School (Seattle) The Bush School (Seattle) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High (West Lafayette) Brown County Junior High (Nashville) Zionsville Middle School (Zionsville) | Lakeside School (Seattle) Odle Middle School (Bellevue) International School (Bellevue) |
Top 3 High Schools | Signature School (Evansville) Carmel High School (Carmel) Fishers High School (Fishers) | International School (Bellevue) Tesla STEM High School (Redmond) Newport High School (Bellevue) |
Top 3 private high schools | Culver Academies (Culver) Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis) Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) | Lakeside School (Seattle) The Overlake School (Redmond) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Traders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown) Heritage Christian School (Indianapolis) Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) | The Bush School (Seattle) The Bear Creek School (Redmond) Eastside Catholic School (Sammamish) |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation | Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District |
How Much Do Indiana to Washington Movers Cost?
Moving 2,169 miles from Indiana to Washington will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,432 | 300 ft3 | $8.11 |
1 Bedroom | $3,626 | 450 ft3 | $8.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,005 | 750 ft3 | $8.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,753 | 1100 ft3 | $7.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,651 | 1600 ft3 | $7.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,143 | 1800 ft3 | $7.86 |
Top Indiana to Washington Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Washington