Kentucky to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 526 mile interstate move from Kentucky to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse career opportunities), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Bourbon BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 208% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in DC is 83.28% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Kentucky to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to DC
- Limited job market
- Inconsistent public transport
- Fewer cultural events
- Less diversity
- Diverse career opportunities
- Efficient metro system
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Cultural melting pot
- High housing costs
- Hustle and bustle
- More impersonal interactions
- Urban density
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter lifestyle
- Friendly community
- Spacious surroundings
Pros of moving from Kentucky to DC
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse career opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from inconsistent public transport and moving to DC with efficient metro system
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Kentucky for a vibrant cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for a cultural melting pot in DC
Cons of moving from Kentucky to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with high housing costs in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle for the con of hustle and bustle
- Time to bid farewell to a friendly community and get used to more impersonal interactions in DC
- Swap spacious surroundings for urban density
Kentucky vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Bourbon BBQ Ribs | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Slider | Jumbo Slice Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich | Quinoa Salad with Local Veggies |
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 Kentucky to DC, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Bourbon BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Hot Brown Slider, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Jumbo Slice Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad with Local Veggies of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Corbett's An American Place, Jack Fry's, and Mama Louisa's. 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, Rose's Luxury, and Komi.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and DC
Comparison | Kentucky | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Federal, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Proximity to amenities, Historic features |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and historic features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- DC housing costs are 208% more expensive than they are in Kentucky with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in DC is 83.28% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and DC
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 89Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 47Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 15.4" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to DC. DC gets 4% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 2 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and DC
Comparison | Kentucky | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.00 | 10.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83 | 0.56 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00 | 6.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automotive | Government, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Modest | Prosperous |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 70% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in DC is 60% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in DC is 10.75 compared to 5.00 in KY
- The affluence in DC is prosperous compared to modest in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and noticeable in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. DC
Comparison | Kentucky | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, Republican-leaning | Liberal, Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Statewide focus on agricultural, education, and economic issues | Urban governance, civil rights, and federal government relations |
Religion | Christian-majority, with a significant Baptist presence | Diverse, with a higher proportion of non-religious individuals |
- Kentucky tends to lean conservative and Republican-leaning in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as liberal and Democratic-leaning
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as diverse, with a higher proportion of non-religious individuals
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian-majority, with a significant Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to DC
Comparison | Kentucky | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Stopher Elementary (Louisville) Mann Elementary (Union) | Lafayette Elementary (Washington) Janney Elementary (Washington) Mann Elementary (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beaumont Middle (Lexington) Barret Traditional Middle (Louisville) Boyle County Middle (Danville) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) McKinley Middle School (Washington) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell) North Oldham High (Goshen) | Banneker High (Washington) School Without Walls High (Washington) Wilson High (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) Gonzaga College High School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sayre School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) The Lexington School (Lexington) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) Maret School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 526 miles from Kentucky to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,501 | 300 ft3 | $5.00 |
1 Bedroom | $2,229 | 450 ft3 | $4.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,677 | 750 ft3 | $4.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,338 | 1100 ft3 | $4.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,684 | 1600 ft3 | $4.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,554 | 1800 ft3 | $4.75 |
Top Kentucky to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.