Ohio to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 443 mile interstate move from Ohio to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like colder winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cincinnati Chili vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial vs federal, row houses), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce with Wings
- DC housing costs are 178% more expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in DC is 65.76% more expensive than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Ohio to DC movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Ohio to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to DC
- Colder winters
- Limited public transport
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less cultural diversity
- Milder winters
- Efficient metro system
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher living expenses
- Higher noise levels
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Smaller living spaces
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter surroundings
- Friendly communities
- Spacious homes
Pros of moving from Ohio to DC
- Say goodbye to colder winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to DC with an efficient metro system
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of Ohio for a diverse job market in DC
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in DC
Cons of moving from Ohio to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Ohio to live with higher living expenses in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of quieter surroundings and have to settle for the con of higher noise levels
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in DC
- Swap spacious homes for smaller living spaces
Ohio vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cincinnati Chili | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Polish Boy | Mumbo Sauce with Wings |
Most popular street food item | Buckeye Candy | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Chili | Quinoa Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Ohio to DC, you will be trading the iconic Cincinnati Chili of Ohio for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Polish Boy and sumptuous Buckeye Candy, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce with Wings and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Slyman's Restaurant, Schmidt's Sausage Haus, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. 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 Le Diplomate.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and DC
Comparison | Ohio | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Colonial | Federal, Row Houses |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Family-friendly | Proximity to Metro, Eco-friendly features |
- The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Row Houses architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly features, DC real estate listings often highlight aspects like proximity to metro stations and eco-friendly amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Ohio.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Ohio.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Ohio.
- DC housing costs are 178% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in DC is 65.76% more expensive than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and DC
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Tornados, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F/63Β°F | 87Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36Β°F/22Β°F | 47Β°F/30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 43 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 15 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to DC. DC gets 15% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 4 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and DC
Comparison | Ohio | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 0-4.797 | 4-10.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.57 | 0.55 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.23 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Finance | Government, Professional Services, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Average | Lower than average |
Homelessness | Lower than average | Higher than average |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 54% more than those in Ohio
- The COLI in DC is 51% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in DC is 4-10.75 compared to 0-4.797 in OH
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Ohio
- The poverty level is lower than average in DC compared to average poverty in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower than average in Ohio and higher than average in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. DC
Comparison | Ohio | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state, mixed Republican and Democrat | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative and liberal local policies | Progressive policies and governance |
Religion | Christian majority with diverse religious communities | Christian majority, varied religious presence |
- Ohio tends to lean as a battleground state, with a mixed Republican and Democrat political climate.
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic.
- DC's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a varied religious presence.
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities.
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to DC
Comparison | Ohio | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Miami University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati Ottawa Hills Elementary Toledo Granville Elementary Granville | Janney Elementary Washington Lafayette Elementary Washington Mann Elementary Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bexley Middle School Bexley Granville Middle School Granville Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High Toledo | Deal Middle School Washington Hardy Middle School Washington Stuart-Hobson Middle School Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Bexley High School Bexley Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High Toledo Walnut Hills High School Cincinnati | Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Washington School Without Walls High School Washington Wilson High School Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawken School Gates Mills University School Hunting Valley The Seven Hills School Cincinnati | Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda Gonzaga College High School Washington St. Albans School Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Columbus Academy Gahanna The Seven Hills School Cincinnati Western Reserve Academy Hudson | Sidwell Friends School Washington Georgetown Day School Washington National Cathedral School Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati Ottawa Hills Local Schools Toledo Beachwood City School District Beachwood | DC Public Schools (specific performance varies by neighborhood ward focus preferred) |
How Much Do Ohio to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 443 miles from Ohio to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,454 | 300 ft3 | $4.85 |
1 Bedroom | $2,158 | 450 ft3 | $4.80 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,559 | 750 ft3 | $4.75 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,165 | 1100 ft3 | $4.70 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,433 | 1600 ft3 | $4.65 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,272 | 1800 ft3 | $4.60 |
Top Ohio to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to DC