Montana to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,016 mile interstate move from Montana to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rural isolation vs vibrant city life), food & health (like Buffalo steak vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (rustic, lodge vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Buffalo steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Fried chicken
- DC housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in DC is 70.26% more expensive than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to DC will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Montana to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Montana to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to DC
- Rural isolation
- Limited job opportunities
- Severe winters
- Lack of cultural events
- Vibrant city life
- Abundant job market
- Milder climate
- Cultural richness
- Urban congestion
- High noise levels
- Less community feel
- Limited outdoor spaces
- Stunning landscapes
- Peaceful living
- Close-knit communities
- Outdoor recreation
Pros of moving from Montana to DC
- Say goodbye to rural isolation and hello to vibrant city life
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to DC with an abundant job market
- Swap the severe winters of Montana for a milder climate in DC
- Get ready for cultural richness in DC
Cons of moving from Montana to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Montana to live with urban congestion in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of peaceful living and have to settle for the con of high noise levels
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a less community feel in DC
- Swap outdoor recreation for limited outdoor spaces
Montana vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Buffalo steak | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Elk burgers | Fried chicken |
Most popular street food item | Wild huckleberry jam products | Jumbo slice pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil burger | Chickpea curry |
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 Montana to DC, you will be trading the iconic Buffalo steak of Montana for the equally delicious Half-smoke of DC. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burgers and sumptuous Wild huckleberry jam products, DC residents know they have tasty Fried chicken and Jumbo slice pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea curry of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like The Mint CafΓ© & Bar, Lewis & Clark Brewing Company, and Mackenzie River Pizza Co. 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 Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and DC
Comparison | Montana | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Rustic, Lodge | Federal, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Acreage | Proximity to metro, Rooftop decks |
- The Rustic and Lodge architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and acreage, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- DC housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in DC is 70.26% more expensive than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and DC
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Wildfires, Flooding | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 45Β°F | 89Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 10Β°F | 47Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 55" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to DC. DC gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
- DC has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 7 degrees warmer than in Montana.
- The average winter lows in DC are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and DC
Comparison | Montana | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 6.9% | 8.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Forestry, Tourism, Agriculture | Government, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 49% more than in Montana
- The COLI in DC is 41% higher than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in DC is 8.5% compared to 6.9% in MT
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Montana
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. DC
Comparison | Montana | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Rural interests dominate | Urban issues and policies |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence |
- Montana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as diverse, with a significant Catholic presence
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to DC
Comparison | Montana | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Montana State University (Bozeman) University of Montana (Missoula) Montana Tech (Butte) | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bozeman Summit School (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary School (Missoula) Arrowhead School (Pray) | BASIS DC School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens Janney Elementary School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) C.S. Porter Middle School (Missoula) Clancy 7-8 (Clancy) | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) | School Without Walls High School Banneker High School Benjamin Franklin High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Yellowstone Academy (Billings) | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School St. Albans School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Valley Christian School (Missoula) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) | Maret School Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman High School District Missoula County Public Schools Helena Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools Friendship Public Charter School KIPP DC |
How Much Do Montana to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 2,016 miles from Montana to DC 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,345 | 300 ft3 | $7.82 |
1 Bedroom | $3,496 | 450 ft3 | $7.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,789 | 750 ft3 | $7.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,435 | 1100 ft3 | $7.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,189 | 1600 ft3 | $7.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,622 | 1800 ft3 | $7.57 |
Top Montana to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.