New York to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 430 mile interstate move from New York to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high rent prices vs affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel with Lox vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (art deco, beaux-arts vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagel with Lox and Pastrami Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in DC is 3.97% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to DC will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended New York to DC movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to DC
- High rent prices
- Long commutes
- Overcrowded spaces
- Tough job market
- Affordable housing
- Better public transport
- Spacious parks
- Ample government jobs
- Quieter evenings
- Less diverse
- Fewer theater options
- Less iconic sites
- Busy nightlife
- Cultural diversity
- World-class theaters
- Iconic landmarks
Pros of moving from New York to DC
- Say goodbye to high rent prices and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from long commutes and moving to DC with better public transport
- Swap the overcrowded spaces of New York for spacious parks in DC
- Get ready for ample government jobs in DC
Cons of moving from New York to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from busy nightlife in New York to live with quieter evenings in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to world-class theaters and get used to fewer theater options in DC
- Swap iconic landmarks for less iconic sites
New York vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagel with Lox | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Pastrami Sandwich | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dog | Jumbo Slice Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Vegan Soul Food |
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 New York to DC, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Lox of New York for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami Sandwich and sumptuous Hot Dog, 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 Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Soul Food of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, The Spotted Pig, and Le Bernardin. 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 York. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and DC
Comparison | New York | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Art Deco, Beaux-Arts | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to Subway, City Views | Monument Views, Nearby Parks |
- The Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and city views, DC real estate listings often highlight features like monument views and nearby parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. DC is less walkable than New York.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than New York.
- DC has less of an urban feel than New York.
- DC housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in DC is 3.97% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and DC
Comparison | New York | 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 | Blizzards, Hurricanes | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Poor |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 84Β°F/69Β°F | 89Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F/26Β°F | 47Β°F/29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 43 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25 | 15 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to DC. DC gets 9% fewer sunshine days than New York.
- DC has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in New York, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 5 degrees warmer than in New York.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and DC
Comparison | New York | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 4% - 8.82% | 4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.5% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.875% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Real Estate, Media | Government, Education, Public Policy |
Affluence | Affluent | Prosperous |
Poverty | Prevalent | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 27% more than in New York
- The COLI in DC will be 36% higher than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in DC is 4% - 10.75% compared to 4% - 8.82% in NY
- The affluence in DC is prosperous compared to affluent in New York
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to prevalent in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in New York and visible in DC
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. DC
Comparison | New York | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Overwhelmingly Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse with unique local issues | Focused on national governance issues |
Religion | Diverse religious landscape | Low religiosity compared to national average |
- New York tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as overwhelmingly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as low religiosity compared to the national average
- New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape
Education Guide When Moving from New York to DC
Comparison | New York | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New York University Cornell University Columbia University | Georgetown University The George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Success Academy Charter School - Bronx PS 77 Lower Lab School - Manhattan Anderson School - New York | Lafayette Elementary School - Washington Mann Elementary School - Washington Janney Elementary School - Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Anderson School - New York East Side Middle School - New York New Explorations into Science Tech and Math - New York | Deal Middle School - Washington Hardy Middle School - Washington McKinley Middle School - Washington |
Top 3 High School Schools | Stuyvesant High School - New York Bronx High School of Science - Bronx Staten Island Technical High School - Staten Island | Benjamin Banneker Academic High School - Washington School Without Walls High School - Washington McKinley Technology High School - Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Trinity School - New York Horace Mann School - Bronx The Brearley School - New York | Georgetown Preparatory School - North Bethesda St. Albans School - Washington Sidwell Friends School - Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Spence School - New York Collegiate School - New York Dalton School - New York | Sidwell Friends School - Washington Georgetown Day School - Washington Maret School - Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Scarsdale Union Free School District Jericho Union Free School District Great Neck Public Schools | DC Public Schools |
How Much Do New York to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 430 miles from New York to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,229 | 300 ft3 | $4.10 |
1 Bedroom | $1,825 | 450 ft3 | $4.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,010 | 750 ft3 | $4.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,367 | 1100 ft3 | $3.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,284 | 1600 ft3 | $3.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,993 | 1800 ft3 | $3.89 |
Top New York to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.