Best Philadelphia to Washington DC Movers

How Much Do Philadelphia to Washington DC Movers Cost?

Moving 148 miles from Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, 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.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Washington DC that already have a booked job heading from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Washington DC from Philadelphia entirely empty. If you can find a Washington DC moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Philadelphia to Washington DC moving option

Hire local Philadelphia movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Washington DC movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Philadelphia to Washington DC move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Philadelphia to Washington DC movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, DC long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Philadelphia to Washington DC moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 53 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Philadelphia and Washington DC areas.

From these 53 companies, we analyzed a total of 21,809 reviews dating all the way back to March 2008.

We also reviewed a total of 17 state and federal moving licenses from these 53 companies and 265 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~21,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 6,801 Philadelphia to Washington DC moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like EverSafe Moving Co.) vs older more established companies (like Bookstore Movers).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Philadelphia to Washington DC moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.90/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 12,468 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.84/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 5,249 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.16/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 3,309 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.21/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 5,504 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.22/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 2,349 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.06/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 6,124 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.27/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 7,347 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.69/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 12,573 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.81/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 7,657 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.82/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 1,414 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.53/10 avg (Philadelphia & Washington DC combined) from 6,604 reviews

From Philadelphia to Washington DC: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia & Dupont Circle in Washington DC are both known for their upscale shopping & nightlife
• Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood & Washington DC's Georgetown both share historic architecture & riverfront
• If you're moving from Fishtown, check out H Street Corridor in the Washington DC area for the artsy scene & live music venues
• Do you enjoy Northern Liberties' revitalized arts district & hip bars? You're sure to love Shaw
• Move from University City to Brookland and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: university-centric community
• South Philadelphia & Capitol Hill are both known for their rowhouses & local markets
• Philadelphia's Manayunk neighborhood & Washington DC's Tenleytown neighborhood both have hilly terrain & boutique shopping
• If you're moving from Chestnut Hill, look into Cleveland Park for the leafy streets & local boutiques
• Do you cherish living in Graduate Hospital's young professionals & new condos? Move into Logan Circle for something similar
• The similar vibes of Fairmount & Foggy Bottom are both known for museum proximity & park access

Pros and Cons of Moving from Philadelphia to Washington DC

ConsPhiladelphia, PA

• Higher taxes
• Worse traffic
• Lower walkability
• Less political influence
• Smaller cultural scene

ProsWashington DC, DC

• Strong job market
• Better public transit
• More walkable
• Greater political hub
• Larger cultural offerings

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Washington DC, DC

• Higher cost of living
• Less unique local cuisine
• Pricey housing
• Fast-paced lifestyle
• Less sports-centric

Philadelphia, PA

• Rich history
• Unique cuisine
• More affordable
• Laid-back atmosphere
• Better sports culture

Pros of moving from Philadelphia to Washington DC

• Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to a strong job market
• Look forward to moving away from worse traffic and moving to Washington DC with better public transit
• Swap the lower walkability of Philadelphia for a more walkable environment in Washington DC
• Get ready for a greater political hub in Washington DC

Cons of moving from Philadelphia to Washington DC

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Philadelphia to live with a higher cost of living in Washington DC
• You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle with the con of less unique local cuisine
• Time to bid farewell to more affordable housing and get used to pricey housing in Washington DC
• Swap a laid-back atmosphere for a fast-paced lifestyle

Philadelphia vs. Washington DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Philadelphia to Washington DC, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Philadelphia for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of Washington DC. And while the locals in Philadelphia rave about their flavorful Roast Pork Sandwich and sumptuous Soft Pretzel, Washington DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings and Korean BBQ Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea Curry of Washington DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Philadelphia eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Geno's Steaks. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington DC, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Le Diplomate.

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

Discover Washington DC Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Washington DC is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Philadelphia favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Zahav, Vetri Cucina, and Federal Donuts in Philadelphia, we're sure you'll love Rasika, FIORELLA’S, and Call Your Mother in Washington DC. See our Washington DC restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Philadelphia hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Reading Terminal Market, head to Union Market on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Philadelphia and Washington DC

• The Rowhouse architecture that Philadelphia is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of Washington DC.
• Compared to Philadelphia's real estate listings that commonly reference historic details and proximity to public transit, Washington DC real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly attributes and security.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Washington DC is less walkable than Philadelphia.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington DC is more bike-friendly than Philadelphia.
• Washington DC has more of an urban feel than Philadelphia.
• Washington DC housing costs are 184% more expensive than they are in Philadelphia, with a median home price of $619,321 compared to Philadelphia’s $217,849.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington DC have increased by 8% compared to a 27% increase in Philadelphia.
• Rent in Washington DC is 41.66% more expensive than in Philadelphia.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Washington DC, DC

1. Capitol Hill : You'll find plenty of parks and dog-friendly businesses, making it easy to enjoy outings with your furry friend.
2. Dupont Circle : With its numerous pet-friendly cafes and proximity to the S Street Dog Park, your pet will love the vibrant atmosphere.
3. Logan Circle : Known for its welcoming community and several nearby green spaces, it's a great spot for you and your pet to explore together.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Philadelphia and Washington DC

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Washington DC gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Philadelphia.
• Washington DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Philadelphia.
• Say goodbye to the occasional flooding and winter storms in Philadelphia, but be on the lookout for potential flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms in Washington DC.
• The average summer high temperature in Washington DC is 2 degrees warmer than in Philadelphia.
• The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Philadelphia.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington DC, as it receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Philadelphia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Philadelphia and Washington DC

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington DC tend to earn about 70% more than in Philadelphia
• The COLI in Washington DC is 11% higher than what you are used to in Philadelphia
• The state income tax in DC is 8.95 (top rate) compared to 3.07 in PA
• The affluence in Washington DC is high compared to moderate in Philadelphia
• The poverty level is low in Washington DC compared to high in Philadelphia
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Philadelphia and moderate in Washington DC

Political and Religious Climate in Philadelphia vs. Washington DC

• Philadelphia tends to lean majority Democratic in its political climate
• Washington DC, on the other hand, is often described as overwhelmingly Democratic
• Washington DC's religious environment can be described as a diverse mix with a significant non-religious population
• Philadelphia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with Christianity being predominant

Philadelphia vs. Washington DC Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 6% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Washington DC compared to your Philadelphia daily drive. That's an annual savings of 1,040 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Washington DC to be worse than it is in Philadelphia.
• Public transit is more readily available in Washington DC.