Movers

Washington to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 2,797 mile interstate move from Washington to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like overcast skies vs sunny weather), food & health (like Salmon vs Bagels with Lox), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs art deco and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Prime Rib, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels with Lox & Beef Steak
  • New York housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in New York is 26.73% more expensive than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to New York will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
  • Our top recommended Washington to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Washington to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to New York

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Overcast skies
  • Higher cost of living
  • Severe traffic congestion
  • Limited nightlife
  • Distance from major cultural hubs
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Sunny weather
  • Diverse job market
  • Efficient public transportation
  • Vibrant social scene
  • Close to world-class museums

New York iconNew York
  • Urban sprawl
  • Higher taxes
  • Fast-paced environment
  • Larger city crowds
  • Lack of space
Washington iconWashington
  • Natural landscapes
  • Lower property taxes
  • Laid-back lifestyle
  • Friendly neighborhoods
  • Rich local history

Pros of moving from Washington to New York

  • Say goodbye to overcast skies and hello to sunny weather
  • Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to New York with a diverse job market
  • Swap the severe traffic congestion of Washington for efficient public transportation in New York
  • Get ready for a vibrant social scene in New York

Cons of moving from Washington to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural landscapes in Washington to live with urban sprawl in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lower property taxes and have to settle with the con of higher taxes
  • Time to bid farewell to a laid-back lifestyle and get used to a fast-paced environment in New York
  • Swap friendly neighborhoods for larger city crowds

Washington vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
Most iconic local food itemSalmonBagels with Lox
Most popular meat dishPrime RibBeef Steak
Most popular street food itemTacosPizza
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • The Pink Door
  • Ray's Boathouse
  • Katz's Deli
  • Peter Luger Steak House
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
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 Washington to New York, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Bagels with Lox of New York. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Prime Rib and sumptuous Tacos, New York residents know they have tasty Beef Steak and Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Ray's Boathouse. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Deli, Peter Luger Steak House, and Dominique Ansel Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and New York

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
Typical Architecture StyleModern and CraftsmanArt Deco and Colonial
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 listingEco-friendly features, Large yardsProximity to public transit, Rooftop spaces
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Colonial architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and large yards, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and rooftop spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Washington.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Washington.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Washington.
  • New York housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in New York is 26.73% more expensive than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
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 DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F/55Β°F83Β°F/68Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F/36Β°F40Β°F/26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3845
Annual Snowfall (Inches)525
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to New York. New York gets 47% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • New York has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New York.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 8 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows in New York are 10 degrees colder than those in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and New York

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
Avg. Household Income$91,306$79,557
Cost of Living Index104.1102.8
State Income Tax0%4% - 8.82%
Avg. Property Tax0.92%1.4%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5% - 10.4%4% - 8.875%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureFinance, Healthcare, Education
AffluenceAffluentMixed
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessSignificantHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 13% less than in Washington
  • The COLI in New York will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to NY, you'll now have a state income tax of 4% to 8.82%
  • The affluence in New York is mixed compared to affluent in Washington
  • The poverty level is high in New York compared to moderate in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Washington and high in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. New York

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasLiberal in NYC, mixed elsewhere
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedHigher religious affiliation, diverse faiths
  • Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • New York's religious environment can be described as having higher religious affiliation and diverse faiths
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to New York

ComparisonWashingtonNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
New York University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Sunrise Elementary (Kent)
Challenger Elementary (Issaquah)
Scarsdale Union Free School District (Scarsdale)
Jericho Union Free School District (Jericho)
P.S. 334 The Anderson School (New York)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah)
Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland)
Rye Neck Middle School (Mamaroneck)
Tenafly Middle School (Tenafly)
Pelham Middle School (Pelham)
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Newport Senior High School (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Staten Island Technical High School (Staten Island)
Stuyvesant High School (New York)
Top 3 private high schoolsLakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Trinity School (New York)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Collegiate School (New York)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Riverdale Country School (Bronx)
The Chapin School (New York)
Brearley School (New York)
Top 3 School DistrictsBellevue School District
Issaquah School District
Lake Washington School District
Jericho Union Free School District
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Great Neck Public Schools

How Much Do Washington to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 2,797 miles from Washington to New York 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 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,788300 ft3$9.29
1 Bedroom$4,160450 ft3$9.24
2 Bedrooms$6,895750 ft3$9.19
3 Bedrooms$10,0581100 ft3$9.14
4 Bedrooms$14,5501600 ft3$9.09
5+ Bedrooms$16,2791800 ft3$9.04

Top Washington to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Washington to New York

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

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details