New York to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Washington

ConsNew York

• High cost of living
• Extreme weather variations
• Noise pollution
• Limited natural sights

ProsWashington

• Lower cost of housing
• Mild coastal climate
• Quieter neighborhoods
• Abundant nature trails

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Washington

• Limited culinary diversity
• Fewer cultural shows
• Fewer major corporations
• Smaller, less iconic parks

New York

• World-class dining
• Dynamic arts scene
• Career opportunities
• Parks like Central Park

Pros of moving from New York to Washington

• Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of housing
• Look forward to moving away from extreme weather variations and moving to Washington with its mild coastal climate
• Swap the noise pollution of New York for quieter neighborhoods in Washington
• Get ready for abundant nature trails in Washington

Cons of moving from New York to Washington

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from world-class dining in New York to live with limited culinary diversity in Washington
• You'll lose out on the pro of a dynamic arts scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural shows
• Time to bid farewell to career opportunities and get used to fewer major corporations in Washington
• Swap parks like Central Park for smaller and less iconic parks

New York vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from New York to Washington, you will be trading the iconic New York-style pizza of New York for the equally delicious apple varieties of Washington. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful pastrami on rye and sumptuous hot dogs, Washington residents know they have tasty salmon and taco trucks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the bagels with vegan cream cheese they've grown to love, they can get ready for the acai bowl of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Salumi.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Washington

• The Art Deco and Brownstone architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Modern architecture typical of Washington.
• Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subways and views of the skyline, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to nature and eco-friendly features.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Washington is less walkable than New York.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington is more bike-friendly than New York.
• Washington has less of an urban feel than New York.
• Washington housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to New York’s $460,812.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
• Rent in Washington is 21.09% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Washington

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Washington. Washington gets 32% fewer sunshine days than New York.
• Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New York.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New York, 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 6 degrees colder than in New York.
• The average winter lows in Washington are 10 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 11.3 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Washington

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 15% more than those in New York
• The COLI in Washington is 1% higher than what you are used to living in New York
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Washington is moderate compared to high in New York
• The poverty level is low in Washington compared to moderate in New York
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Washington

• New York tends to lean majority Democratic in its political climate
• Washington, on the other hand, is often described as majority Democratic
• Washington's religious environment can be described as secular-leaning with diverse faith groups
• New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Washington

How Much Do New York to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 2,794 miles from New York to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.