Missouri to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 922 mile interstate move from Missouri to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe weather vs milder climate), food & health (like St. Louis-Style Pizza vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, 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 St. Louis-Style Pizza and Kansas City Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in DC is 79.78% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to DC movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to DC
- Severe weather
- Limited public transit
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer events
- Milder climate
- Extensive public transport
- Cultural richness
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant social scene
- High cost of living
- Busy urban life
- Dense population
- Smaller apartments
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet neighborhoods
- Local small towns
- Spacious homes
- Slower pace of life
Pros of moving from Missouri to DC
- Say goodbye to severe weather and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to DC with extensive public transport
- Swap the less cultural diversity of Missouri for cultural richness in DC
- Get ready for a thriving job market in DC
Cons of moving from Missouri to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Missouri to live with the high cost of living in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of quiet neighborhoods and have to settle with the con of busy urban life
- Time to bid farewell to local small towns and get used to the dense population in DC
- Swap spacious homes for smaller apartments
Missouri vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-Style Pizza | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City Barbecue | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Jumbo Slice Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan BBQ Sandwich | Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Missouri to DC, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-Style Pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City Barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, 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 Vegan BBQ Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Q39, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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 Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and DC
Comparison | Missouri | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Federal, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to metro, vibrant neighborhoods |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- DC housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in DC is 79.78% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and DC
Comparison | Missouri | 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, Flooding | Storms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 67Β°F | 87Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 24Β°F | 44Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18" | 15.4" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to DC. DC gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and flooding in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential storms and flooding in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 1 degree colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer in DC than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and DC
Comparison | Missouri | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.91% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.29% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Public Administration, Education, Health |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Significant |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 56% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in DC will be 53% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- Hooray, moving to DC means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to significant in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and significant in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. DC
Comparison | Missouri | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative on social issues | Progressive urban policies |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communities | Diverse, with a higher percentage of non-religious residents and various faith communities |
- Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- DC's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher percentage of non-religious residents and various faith communities
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communities
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to DC
Comparison | Missouri | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Truman State University | Georgetown University The George Washington University Howard University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary (St. Louis) John Thomas School of Discovery (Nixa) W. W. Keysor Elementary School (Kirkwood) | Janney Elementary School Mann Elementary School Hyde-Addison Elementary School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (St. Louis) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Alice Deal Junior High School |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | School Without Walls High School Banneker High School Benjamin Franklin High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | National Cathedral School The Field School Sidwell Friends School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School Maret School |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Kirkwood School District Ladue School District | DC Public Schools (DCPS) Inspired Teaching Demonstration School Capitol Hill Cluster School |
How Much Do Missouri to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 922 miles from Missouri to DC will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,725 | 300 ft3 | $5.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,565 | 450 ft3 | $5.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,238 | 750 ft3 | $5.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,161 | 1100 ft3 | $5.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,881 | 1600 ft3 | $5.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,901 | 1800 ft3 | $5.50 |
Top Missouri to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to DC