Moving from NY to DC
Moving from NYC to Washington DC: What you need to know
The nation’s capital is an attractive relocation destination for many families and young professionals looking to advance their careers. Each year the DC area anticipates approximately 13,000 new residents. Like New York City, Washington DC is a vibrant city full of fascinating museums, exciting nightlife and incredible opportunities. However, despite being a short train ride away, the two cities differ in the lifestyles they offer. For one, New Yorkers moving to DC will be pleasantly surprised by the lower cost of living and slower pace of life they may find in DC
As a top-rated NYC moving company, JP Urban Moving has moved hundreds of our clients to the DC area and have prepared a guide for those looking to make the move.
How much does it cost to move from New York City to DC?
The cost of moving DC from NYC will vary based on several factors about the move. In general, the cost of a move from NYC to DC can range anywhere between $300 and $4500.
Typically, the cost of a move between NYC and DC will vary according to several criteria:
- The size of your home/apartment (a studio apartment will be cheaper to move than a 3-bedroom house)
- The time of year you plan to move (moving has a peak season and a slow season)
- Whether you choose to book professional New York to DC movers or decide to do the heavy lifting yourself
Renting a U-Haul or Moving PODS container can be a more budget-friendly option for an out-of-state move. But, there are some safety risks involved if you have never moved by yourself.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from New York City to DC?
For an out-of-state move between NYC and DC, you can be expected to pay anywhere between $800 to $4500 if you go with a professional moving company. With professional movers, you can request a moving estimate to better understand how much your moving job will cost.
The price of the move will likely increase if you opt for special services like packing and storage. Some moving companies will also provide eco-friendly moving containers upon request.
When calculating the cost of a move between NYC and DC, the cost will depend on:
- The size of your home/apartment (a studio apartment will be cheaper than a 3-bedroom house)
- The time of year you plan to move (moving has a peak season and a slow season)
- Whether you choose to book professional New York to DC movers or decide to do the heavy lifting yourself
- The number of movers required for the job and the number of hours the job will take.
Because we love both NYC and going to new places, we don’t outsource any part of our long distance move operations.
Your belongings will be loaded and unloaded just once. The same team that packs you for the move will be there with you in the end to unpack. Best of all, you will have a dedicated door to door service and dispatcher overseeing all aspects of your move.
The best New York City moving companies from New York to DC
Rated one of NYC’s best moving companies by New York Magazine, JP Urban Moving is a local and long-distance moving company based in NYC that offers long distance moves to Washington DC.
One of the benefits of using a licensed and insured moving company like JP Urban Moving is the assurance that your belongings will be well-protected and transported safely. Moreover, JP Urban specializes in moving delicate and fragile items like pianos, art, and antiques.
Many out-of-state movers will outsource or consolidate your long distance move with other parties, and you will often have a larger window and sometimes unreliable time frame for your delivery. This may also put your items at more risk for damage, having gone through multiple loads, or different parties’ hands. We don’t outsource any part of our move, ensuring you will be in better control and can expect the delivery of your belongings on time.
Reasons for hiring professional NYC to DC movers
We can’t speak for other movers, but here is what is included in our moving services at JP Urban Moving:
Our movers will disassemble furniture and securely wrap it for safe transportation over long distances
Our movers will professionally pack and protect household items including artwork, electronics, TVs, and other delicate/fragile items prone to damage
Our movers will perform loading and unloading tasks and other related duties
Our movers will reassemble furniture as required and place all items in appropriate places in your new location
We can provide all necessary packing supplies and materials so that you can focus on other aspects (like finding a new school, a new vet, or a new pediatrician).
Cost of living: New York City vs Washington D.C.
The cost of living in N.Y.C is 21.9% higher than in DC When comparing the cost of groceries, sales tax, rent and real estate, life in DC can be more affordable than in NYC.
With the exception of groceries (which are around the same price), your purchasing power in DC will be much higher than in NYC.
| COST OF LIVING CRITERIA | New York City | D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| GROCERIES (Per person, per month) | $486.71 | $471.28 |
| AVERAGE TAX RATE (Sales, State, & Local) | 8.52% | 6% |
| RENT (Median price for 1 BR apt) | $3,995 | $1,808 |
| AVERAGE HOME PRICE | $799,000 | $625,000 |
How is life different in New York City compared to Washington DC?
There are several key differences between the two cities. When moving NYC to DC, here are the things you should know:
Washington DC is one of the few cities in the United States with a public transit system that can rival the MTA in NYC. The Washington Metro (WMATA) is not only beautiful but also an efficient way to get around the center of the city. One thing to note however, is that unlike the flat fare in NYC, you pay for the distance (and time of day) you travel.
With a small population of just 712,000, visitors from NYC will notice how the streets of DC tend to be less busy. Moreover, compared to the tall skyscrapers you’ll find in NYC, the buildings in DC are quite low to the ground, creating a greater sense of tranquility. In fact, there is a legal limit of how tall the buildings in DC can be.
Though DC is only a 4 hours’ drive away, the climate tends to be a bit milder than NYC. On average, NYC experiences 25.3 inches of snowfall a year, while DC only averages 13.7 inches of snow a year. When it comes to rain, NYC experiences an average of 46.6 inches of rain a year while DC records a yearly average of 43.3 inches of rain.
In terms of crime rates, the rate of violent crime and property crime is higher in DC than NYC. However, the likelihood of being involved in a crime can often depend on the neighborhood and time of day.
- NYC Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 3.13
- NYC Property Crime (per 1000 residents): 13.52
- DC Crime Rate (per 1000 residents): 9.84
- DC Property Crime (per 1000 residents): 41.35
How is life similar in New York City compared to Washington DC?
In general, DC offers many of the same amenities as NYC including many job opportunities, esteemed arts and cultural centers, and an exciting restaurant scene.
Both NYC and DC are career-driven cities with plenty of competitive job opportunities. Many who flock to these cities go to follow their professional dreams. While NYC is more oriented towards fashion, art and finance, DC is a hub for those interested in politics, international diplomacy, consulting and technology. In fact, DC is considered one of the most educated cities in America.
Both cities are excellent places for those who appreciate the arts. Like NYC, there are dozens of fascinating historic museums and art galleries to enjoy. The best part about living in DC is getting to visit one of the many world-renowned museums (like the Smithsonian and National Portrait Gallery) that are absolutely free to enter.
Though DC is notably smaller than NYC, there are still tons of excellent places to eat, drink and go out. The restaurant scene in DC has grown in recent years and offers a mix of fine dining, food trucks, food halls, hip hangabouts and cozy hole-in-the walls. Moreover, the new DC waterfront development is buzzing with stylish and scenic restaurants!
Where to live in DC?
The city of DC itself is home to around 713,000 residents. However, the population of the DC metro area (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria) is nearly 8 times larger at 5.49 million.
Within the city limits of DC, many choose to live in the highly walkable and cosmopolitan neighborhoods of Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Adams Morgan and Logan Circle. In these areas, residents can enjoy the buzz of city life at their fingertips.
However, many DC residents choose to live in the suburban areas in nearby Virginia and Maryland including Bethesda, Alexandria, Potomac, Fairfax, Silver Spring and Chevy Chase. These areas, often affluent, are excellent for families due to the safety, many parks nearby and great public schools.
FAQs about moving from New York to Washington DC
Below you can find some of our most frequently asked questions regarding moving from NY to DC. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
For out-of-state moves like NYC to DC, we recommend booking our moving services 6 to 8 weeks in advance. During peak moving seasons (spring and summer), we recommend booking your move as early as possible to secure your desired move date and ensure availability on our schedule. Feel free to contact us in advance.
We can provide a range of packing supplies including boxes, packing materials and even reusable crates. The additional cost of this service will be included in the moving estimate.
The move from NYC to DC takes less than 1 day with door-to-door service (excluding additional time for packing and unpacking). Due to the long-distance nature of the move, be sure to pack a suitcase with emergency supplies since you won’t have the bulk of your stuff on hand.
Ready to move to DC from NYC?
JP Urban Moving is a NY-based moving company that specializes in local and long-distance movers. With over 10 years of moving experience, we can help relocate you to DC safely. If you are looking to hire movers from NYC to DC, be sure to request a free estimate from our team and check our moving availability. We also offer various deals and discounts for first-time and repeat clients.
JP Urban Moving also organizes several long-distance moving routes from New York including NY to Florida, NYC to Connecticut, New York to New Jersey, NYC to Philly, and NYC to Boston.
