($1,385) Movers From Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD

Quick answer: A move from Los Angeles to Washington DC costs $1,605–$7,555 and takes seven to 21 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,668-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Washington DC to Los Angeles guide.

The best Los Angeles to Washington DC full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Los Angeles to go to Washington DC can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Los Angeles to Washington DC.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost between $1,385 to $5,680. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,839 to $7,555, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost from $6,929 to $12,312.

The best moving containers for your Los Angeles to Washington DC move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

How much are moving container companies from Los Angeles to Washington DC?toggle

Moving containers from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost you $1,386 to $3,382 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,534 to $4,974. A larger home will cost $3,425 to $6,915.

The best moving truck rentals for your Los Angeles to Washington DC move

If you want to save even more money on your Los Angeles to Washington DC move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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How much is a moving truck from Los Angeles to Washington DC?toggle

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,527 to $3,046. A larger move will cost $1,605 to $3,384, and a four-bedroom move from Los Angeles to Washington DC costs from $1,987 to $4,364. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Los Angeles to Washington DC move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Los Angeles to Washington DC:

Best Labor Only
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
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(866) 774-5063

How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

Los Angeles movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,385 - $5,680 $1,386 - $3,382 $1,527 - $3,046
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,839 - $7,555 $2,534 - $4,974 $1,605 - $3,384
4+ bedrooms $6,929 - $12,312 $3,425 - $6,915 $1,987 - $4,364
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,668 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Los Angeles to Washington DCtoggle

The cost of Los Angeles movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Los Angeles to Washington DC can be as low as $1,385 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,069.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Los Angeles, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,527 to $3,713. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC

Los Angeles Washington DC
Average rent cost $2,960 $2,400
Average home value $2,368,088 $594,337
Average income (per capita) $74,993 $101,722
Cost of living (single person) $1,311 $1,424
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,745 $5,184
Unemployment rate 10.6% 7.0%
Sales tax 9.5% 6.0%
State income tax 13.3% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Washington DC are 19% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Home prices in Washington DC are 74.9% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Income in Washington DC is 35.6% higher than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 8.6% higher than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 9.3% higher than in Los Angeles.
  • The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 33.96% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Sales taxes in Washington DC are 36.84% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • State income taxes in Washington DC are 56.77% lower than in Los Angeles.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,258.58 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How life is different in Los Angeles vs. Washington DC

Washington DC Los Angeles
Population 705,749 3,820,914
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 8
Walkability score 77 69
Bike friendliness score 70 59
Crime Index 60.37 53.81
Safety Index 39.63 46.19
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Washington DC's population is about 82% less than Los Angeles.
  • Washington DC's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Los Angeles's higher score of 8.
  • Washington DC is more walkable than Los Angeles with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Los Angeles's 69 out of 100.
  • Washington DC is more bike-friendly than Los Angeles with a score of 70 out of 100 vs Los Angeles's 59.
  • Washington DC's crime rate is higher than Los Angeles with a score of 60.37 compared to Los Angeles's 53.81. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 53.81%.
  • Washington DC is considered to be less safe than Los Angeles with a score of 39.63 vs Los Angeles's 46.19.
  • Air quality in Washington DC is good, and in Los Angeles it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Los Angeles vs. Washington DC move

  • Weather: Winters are cool to cold with light snow more common but heavy snow not uncommon, and summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild to warm. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall or high heat.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Maryland does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Washington DC. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Washington DC

Now that you've decided to make the move to "DC", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Washington DC.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Adams Morgan
  • Capitol Hill
  • Cleveland Park
  • Foggy Bottom
  • Logan Circle

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • AU-Tenleytown
  • Chevy Chase
  • Cleveland Park
  • Georgetown
  • The Palisades

Things to do in Washington DCtoggle

After settling into your new Maryland home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Washington DC has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Washington DC is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and National Air and Space Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s National Mall, National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden, Rock Creek Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Mystics (WNBA), or D.C. Untied (MLS) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

The best time to move from Los Angeles to Washington DC is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Los Angeles.

When is the cheapest time to move from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

Because most people are moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Los Angeles to Washington DC take?

The 2,668-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to Washington DC, MD, takes seven to 21 days. Some Los Angeles movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Washington DC.

Helpful moving resources