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Virginia to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 2,730 mile interstate move from Virginia to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs mild temperatures), food & health (like Ham vs Seafood, especially Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs northwest, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Seafood, especially Salmon & Grilled Salmon
  • Washington housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Washington is 7.72% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Washington will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Washington movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Washington

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Humid summers
  • Hurricane risk
  • Traffic congestion
  • Higher property taxes
  • Limited tech opportunities
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Mild temperatures
  • Lower natural disaster risk
  • Efficient public transit
  • No personal income tax
  • Diverse job market

Washington iconWashington
  • Less historical architecture
  • No coastal beaches
  • Reserved culture
  • Limited BBQ options
  • Higher living costs
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Southern hospitality
  • Famous for BBQ
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from Virginia to Washington

  • Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to mild temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Washington with lower natural disaster risk
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for efficient public transit in Washington
  • Get ready for no personal income tax in Washington

Cons of moving from Virginia to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Virginia to live with less historical architecture in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful beaches and have to settle for the con of no coastal beaches
  • Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to reserved culture in Washington
  • Swap famous BBQ for limited BBQ options

Virginia vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
Most iconic local food itemHamSeafood, especially Salmon
Most popular meat dishBBQGrilled Salmon
Most popular street food itemHot DogsTacos
Most popular vegan foodKale SaladQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Le Diplomate
  • Pocahontas Pancake
  • Canlis
  • Salumi
  • Beecher's Handmade Cheese
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 Virginia to Washington, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Seafood, especially Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Washington residents know they have tasty Grilled Salmon and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Le Diplomate, and Pocahontas Pancake. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Salumi, and Beecher's Handmade Cheese.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Washington

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodNorthwest, Craftsman
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 listingHistoric charm, spacious yardsEco-friendly features, mountain views
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Northwest and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference historic charm and spacious yards, Washington's real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and mountain views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Washington housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Virginia with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Virginia's $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Washington is 7.72% more expensive than in Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Washington

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodsVolcanoes, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F75Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F47Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"38"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)14"7"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Washington. Washington gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, 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 10 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Washington are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Washington

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
Avg. Household Income$85,873$91,306
Cost of Living Index96.6104.1
State Income Tax5.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.93%
Avg. Sales Tax5.65%6.50%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Military, AgricultureAerospace, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 6% more than those in Virginia
  • The COLI in Washington will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you will no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
  • The poverty level is low in Washington compared to low poverty in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Virginia and high in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Washington

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
Political Make-upMixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholdsLeans more Democratic, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsDiverse, varies by regionProgressive in major cities
ReligionChristianity predominant, varied denominationsLess religiously affiliated, diverse faith communities
  • Virginia tends to lean mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning more Democratic, especially in urban areas
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated and featuring diverse faith communities
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with varied denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Washington

ComparisonVirginiaWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary (Vienna)
Lucketts Elementary (Leesburg)
Cascadia Elementary (Seattle)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Clara Barton Elementary (Redmond)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Henley Middle School (Charlottesville)
International School (Bellevue)
Washington Middle School (Seattle)
Redmond Middle School (Redmond)
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
International School (Bellevue)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Garfield High School (Seattle)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Preparatory School (Seattle)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Langley School (McLean)
Flint Hill School (Oakton)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Annie Wright Schools (Tacoma)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District

How Much Do Virginia to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 2,730 miles from Virginia 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.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,750300 ft3$9.17
1 Bedroom$4,103450 ft3$9.12
2 Bedrooms$6,800750 ft3$9.07
3 Bedrooms$9,9191100 ft3$9.02
4 Bedrooms$14,3481600 ft3$8.97
5+ Bedrooms$16,0511800 ft3$8.92

Top Virginia to Washington Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Washington

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details