Movers

New Jersey to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 194 mile interstate move from New Jersey to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
  • DC housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in New Jersey
  • Rent in DC is 2.12% more affordable than in New Jersey
  • Moving from New Jersey to DC will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended New Jersey to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

New Jersey to DC Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to DC

ConsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • High property taxes
  • Limited public transportation
  • Fewer cultural amenities
  • Higher car dependency
  • Traffic congestion
ProsDC iconDC
  • Lower property taxes
  • Extensive transit system
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Walkable neighborhoods
  • Efficient city-planning

DC iconDC
  • Limited beach access
  • High living costs
  • Urban hustle and bustle
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Expensive housing market
New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Close to beaches
  • Family-oriented suburbs
  • Access to rural retreats
  • Distinct seasons
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from New Jersey to DC

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transportation and moving to DC with an extensive transit system
  • Swap the fewer cultural amenities of New Jersey for a rich cultural scene in DC
  • Get ready for walkable neighborhoods in DC

Cons of moving from New Jersey to DC

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from being close to beaches in New Jersey to live with limited beach access in DC
  • You'll lose out on the pro of family-oriented suburbs and have to settle for the con of high living costs
  • Time to bid farewell to access to rural retreats and get used to the urban hustle and bustle in DC
  • Swap distinct seasons for hot, humid summers

New Jersey vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
Most iconic local food itemTaylor Ham/Pork RollHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishItalian Hot DogsMumbo Sauce Wings
Most popular street food itemSalt Water TaffyJumbo Slice Pizza
Most popular vegan foodImpossible BurgerChickpea Salad Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Razza Pizza Artigianale
  • Don's Original
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rose's Luxury
  • 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 New Jersey to DC, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, 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 Impossible Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea Salad Sandwich of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Razza Pizza Artigianale, and Don's Original. 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 New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and DC

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodVictorian, Federal
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 listingProximity to NYC, backyardsProximity to metro, rooftop decks
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
  • Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and backyards, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and rooftop decks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than New Jersey.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
  • DC has more of an urban feel than New Jersey.
  • DC housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to New Jersey’s $512,908.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
  • Rent in DC is 2.12% more affordable than in New Jersey.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and DC

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
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 DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6689/71
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2547/29
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4739.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2315.4
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to DC. DC gets 1% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
  • DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, 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 4 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 7.3 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and DC

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
Avg. Household Income$96,346$101,027
Cost of Living Index129.7140.1
State Income Tax5.53%8.95%
Avg. Property Tax2.49%0.55%
Avg. Sales Tax6.63%6%
Top 3 IndustriesPharmaceuticals, Finance, ManufacturingGovernment, Education, Technology
AffluenceProsperousAffluent
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessAverageHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 5% more than in New Jersey
  • The COLI in DC is 8% higher than what you are used to living in New Jersey
  • The state income tax in DC is 8.95% compared to 5.53% in NJ
  • The affluence in DC is affluent compared to prosperous in New Jersey
  • The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in New Jersey
  • In terms of homelessness, it is average in New Jersey and high in DC

Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. DC

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
Political Make-upLean DemocratStrongly Democrat
Local PoliticsModerate influence of local issues on state politicsHigh influence of local and national issues
ReligionDiverse, with significant Catholic and Protestant communitiesDiverse, prominent presence of non-religious individuals
  • New Jersey tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
  • DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democrat
  • DC's religious environment can be described as diverse with a prominent presence of non-religious individuals
  • New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with significant Catholic and Protestant communities

Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to DC

ComparisonNew JerseyDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Rutgers University
Princeton University
Montclair State University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWashington Elementary School
Ridgewood; Littlebrook Elementary School
Princeton; Central Avenue School
Madison
BASIS DC
Capitol Hill Cluster School
Janney Elementary School
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGlen Rock Middle School
Glen Rock; Tenakill Middle School
Closter; Mendham Township Middle School
Mendham
Deal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
McKinley Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsHigh Technology High School
Lincroft; Bergen County Academies
Hackensack; Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
Jersey City
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
School Without Walls High School
McKinley Technology High School
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pingry School
Basking Ridge; Newark Academy
Livingston; Delbarton School
Morristown
Sidwell Friends School
St. Albans School
Maret School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pingry School
Basking Ridge; Newark Academy
Livingston; The Lawrenceville School
Lawrenceville
Sidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
National Cathedral School
Top 3 School DistrictsPrinceton Public Schools
Millburn Township Schools
Summit Public Schools
DC Public Schools (For quality ratings
it's challenging to compare as DC operates under a single school district model)

How Much Do New Jersey to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 194 miles from New Jersey to DC will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,116300 ft3$3.72
1 Bedroom$1,654450 ft3$3.68
2 Bedrooms$2,725750 ft3$3.63
3 Bedrooms$3,9501100 ft3$3.59
4 Bedrooms$5,6781600 ft3$3.55
5+ Bedrooms$6,3111800 ft3$3.51

Top New Jersey to DC Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for New Jersey to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details