($1,283) Moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC

Quick answer: A move from Los Angeles to Washington DC costs $1,692 to $8,057 and takes seven-twenty-one 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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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Los Angeles will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

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The best Los Angeles to Washington DC moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Los Angeles to Washington DC is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

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

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

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 $1,283 - $5,478 $1,475 - $3,638 $1,517 - $3,058
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,774 - $8,057 $2,443 - $5,198 $1,692 - $3,500
4+ bedrooms $7,098 - $12,108 $3,402 - $7,150 $2,160 - $4,252
*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 DC

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 $1,283 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,220.
  • 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 $1,517 to $3,918. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost between $1,283 to $5,478. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,774 to $8,057, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost from $7,098 to $12,108.

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

Moving containers from Los Angeles to Washington DC will cost you $1,475 to $3,638 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,443 to $5,198. A larger home will cost $3,402 to $7,150.

How much is a moving truck from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

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 $1,517 to $3,058. A larger move will cost $1,692 to $3,500, and a four-bedroom move from Los Angeles to Washington DC costs from $2,160 to $4,252. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Los Angeles to Washington DC

Cost of living: Los Angeles vs Washington DC

Los Angeles Washington DC
Average rent cost $2,850 $2,450
Average home value $2,245,337 $609,175
Average income (per capita) $73,027 $635,900
Cost of Living (single person) $6,742 $1,211
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,567 $4,423
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 14% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Home prices in Washington DC are 72.9% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Income in Washington DC is 770.8% higher than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 82.0% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 20.5% lower 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 into perspective, you would need around $538.86 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How is life different in Los Angeles compared to Washington DC?

Washington DC Los Angeles
Population 689,545 9,787,747
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 8
Walkability score 77 69
Bike friendliness score 70 59
Crime Index 46.45 52.86
Safety Index 41.16 47.14
Air Quality Moderate Moderate
  • Washington DC's population is about 93% 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 lower than Los Angeles with a score of 46.45 compared to Los Angeles's 52.86. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 52.86%.
  • Washington DC is considered to be less safe than Los Angeles with a score of 41.16 vs Los Angeles's 47.14.
  • Air quality in Washington DC is moderate, and in Los Angeles it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Washington DC

  • 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.

Local Los Angeles movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Rigo's Moving Company Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
4385 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90023
(323) 519-2845
NorthStar Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
633 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90071
(213) 622-7767

Visit our best long distance movers in Los Angeles page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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 singles:

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

Best neighborhoods for families:

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

What to do in Washington DC

These are some of the best things to do in your new Maryland home.

  • Washington Monument
  • White House
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials
  • National Mall
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Smithsonian National Zoo
  • The Pentagon
  • Library Of Congress
  • Capitol Hill
  • Smithsonian Institution Building
  • National Gallery of Art & the Sculpture Garden
  • International Spy Museum
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • National Museum of the American Indian & the Mitsitam Café
  • National Postal Museum
  • Penn Quarter
  • National Geographic Museum
  • National Archives Museum
  • National Museum of Health and Medicine
  • Hillwood Estate Museum and Garden
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Get your sports on!

Washington DC is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Washington Wizards (NBA)
  • Washington Capitals (NHL)
  • Washington Mystics (WNBA)
  • D.C. Untied (MLS)
  • Washington Commanders (NFL)
  • DC Defenders (XFL)
  • Old Glory DC (MLR)

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-twenty-one 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