Movers

Missouri to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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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

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Severe weather
  • Limited public transit
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Fewer events
ProsDC iconDC
  • Milder climate
  • Extensive public transport
  • Cultural richness
  • Thriving job market
  • Vibrant social scene

DC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Busy urban life
  • Dense population
  • Smaller apartments
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
Missouri iconMissouri
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriDC
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-Style PizzaHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishKansas City BarbecueMumbo Sauce Wings
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliJumbo Slice Pizza
Most popular vegan foodVegan BBQ SandwichVegan Ethiopian Cuisine
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Q39
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai Cafe
  • Zaytinya
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMissouriDC
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchFederal, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, quiet neighborhoodsProximity 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 Missouri’s $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

ComparisonMissouriDC
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodingStorms, Flooding
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88Β°F / 67Β°F87Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 24Β°F44Β°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

ComparisonMissouriDC
Avg. Household Income$64,811$101,027
Cost of Living Index91.8140.1
State Income Tax5.4%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.91%0.59%
Avg. Sales Tax8.29%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AerospacePublic Administration, Education, Health
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertySignificantModerate
HomelessnessLowSignificant
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriDC
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative on social issuesProgressive urban policies
ReligionPredominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communitiesDiverse, 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

ComparisonMissouriDC
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 SchoolsMason 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 SchoolsLadue 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 SchoolsClayton 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 schoolsThomas 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsClayton 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,725300 ft3$5.75
1 Bedroom$2,565450 ft3$5.70
2 Bedrooms$4,238750 ft3$5.65
3 Bedrooms$6,1611100 ft3$5.60
4 Bedrooms$8,8811600 ft3$5.55
5+ Bedrooms$9,9011800 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.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to DC

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details