Movers

Missouri to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 1,982 mile interstate move from Missouri to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs modern, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Pacific Northwest seafood
  • Washington housing costs are 143% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Washington is 47.72% more expensive than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Washington movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Washington

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Hot summers
  • Limited public transit
  • Flat landscapes
  • Tornado risk
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Cooler climate
  • Extensive transit options
  • Scenic mountains
  • Less severe weather

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher expenses
  • Less personal connection
  • Adapting to diversity
  • Higher dining costs
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Lower cost of living
  • Friendly communities
  • Rich local traditions
  • Plentiful barbecues

Pros of moving from Missouri to Washington

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Washington with extensive transit options
  • Swap the flat landscapes of Missouri for scenic mountains in Washington
  • Get ready for less severe weather in Washington

Cons of moving from Missouri to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Missouri to live with higher expenses in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of less personal connection
  • Time to bid farewell to rich local traditions and get used to adapting to diversity in Washington
  • Swap plentiful barbecues for higher dining costs

Missouri vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriWashington
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style pizzaSalmon
Most popular meat dishKansas City barbecuePacific Northwest seafood
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Blue Bird Bistro
  • Canlis
  • Salumi
  • Pike Place Chowder
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Washington residents know they have tasty Pacific Northwest seafood and fish tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the quinoa salad of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Blue Bird Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Salumi, and Pike Place Chowder.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Washington

ComparisonMissouriWashington
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchModern, Craftsman
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 neighborhoodsEco-friendly features, Proximity to nature
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Washington housing costs are 143% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Washington is 47.72% more expensive than in Missouri.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Washington

ComparisonMissouriWashington
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, FloodsVolcanoes, Earthquakes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6775/55
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2047/36
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4238
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1850*
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Washington. Washington gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 14 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Washington

ComparisonMissouriWashington
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsModerately conservative in rural areasLiberal, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, with strong Evangelical presenceMore secular, diverse religious landscapes
  • Missouri 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 more secular and diverse with religious landscapes
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a strong Evangelical presence

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Washington

ComparisonMissouriWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsConway Elementary (St. Louis)
Mason Ridge Elementary (Town and Country)
John Thomas School of Discovery (Nixa)
East Ridge Elementary (Woodinville)
Cascadia Elementary (Seattle)
Clara Barton Elementary (Redmond)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCentral Middle (Chesterfield)
Ladue Middle (Ladue)
Pembroke Hill Middle (Kansas City)
International School (Bellevue)
Odle Middle (Bellevue)
Lakeside Middle (Seattle)
Top 3 High School SchoolsClayton High (Clayton)
Ladue Horton Watkins High (Ladue)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Newport High (Bellevue)
International School (Bellevue)
Top 3 private high schoolsSt. Louis University High (St. Louis)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
John Burroughs School (St. Louis)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThomas Jefferson School (St. Louis)
The Barstow School (Kansas City)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District (Clayton)
Ladue School District (Ladue)
Park Hill School District (Kansas City)
Bellevue School District (Bellevue)
Mercer Island School District (Mercer Island)
Lake Washington School District (Redmond)

How Much Do Missouri to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,982 miles from Missouri to Washington will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,326300 ft3$7.75
1 Bedroom$3,467450 ft3$7.70
2 Bedrooms$5,740750 ft3$7.65
3 Bedrooms$8,3641100 ft3$7.60
4 Bedrooms$12,0861600 ft3$7.55
5+ Bedrooms$13,5071800 ft3$7.50

Top Missouri to Washington Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Washington 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 Washington

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details