Movers

New York to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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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

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High rent prices
  • Long commutes
  • Overcrowded spaces
  • Tough job market
ProsDC iconDC
  • Affordable housing
  • Better public transport
  • Spacious parks
  • Ample government jobs

DC iconDC
  • Quieter evenings
  • Less diverse
  • Fewer theater options
  • Less iconic sites
New York iconNew York
  • 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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
Most iconic local food itemBagel with LoxHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishPastrami SandwichMumbo Sauce Wings
Most popular street food itemHot DogJumbo Slice Pizza
Most popular vegan foodVegan PizzaVegan Soul Food
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • The Spotted Pig
  • Le Bernardin
  • 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 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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
Typical Architecture StyleArt Deco, Beaux-ArtsVictorian, 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 listingClose to Subway, City ViewsMonument 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 York’s $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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
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 DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityModerateModerate to Poor
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)84Β°F/69Β°F89Β°F/71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)39Β°F/26Β°F47Β°F/29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5043
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2515
  • 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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
Avg. Household Income$79,557$101,027
Cost of Living Index102.8140.1
State Income Tax4% - 8.82%4% - 10.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%0.5%
Avg. Sales Tax8.875%6%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Real Estate, MediaGovernment, Education, Public Policy
AffluenceAffluentProsperous
PovertyPrevalentModerate
HomelessnessSignificantVisible
  • 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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticOverwhelmingly Democratic
Local PoliticsDiverse with unique local issuesFocused on national governance issues
ReligionDiverse religious landscapeLow 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

ComparisonNew YorkDC
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 SchoolsSuccess 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 SchoolsAnderson 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 SchoolsStuyvesant 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 schoolsTrinity 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsScarsdale 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,229300 ft3$4.10
1 Bedroom$1,825450 ft3$4.06
2 Bedrooms$3,010750 ft3$4.01
3 Bedrooms$4,3671100 ft3$3.97
4 Bedrooms$6,2841600 ft3$3.93
5+ Bedrooms$6,9931800 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.

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to DC

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
ExceptionalView details