($1,510) Movers From Oakland, CA to Washington DC, MD

Quick answer: A move from Oakland to Washington DC costs $1,904–$8,869 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 2,802-mile move yourself.

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

The best Oakland to Washington DC full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Oakland 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 Oakland 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
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  • 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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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(855) 929-4120
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  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120
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(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 Oakland to Washington DC?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Oakland to Washington DC will cost between $1,510 to $6,687. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,508 to $8,869, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Oakland to Washington DC will cost from $8,481 to $13,741.

The best moving containers for your Oakland to Washington DC move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Oakland 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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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

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

Moving containers from Oakland to Washington DC will cost you $1,653 to $4,197 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,731 to $6,125. A larger home will cost $4,083 to $8,356.

The best moving truck rentals for your Oakland to Washington DC move

If you want to save even more money on your Oakland 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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  • Affordable pricing
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How much is a moving truck from Oakland 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 $1,758 to $3,237. A larger move will cost $1,904 to $4,260, and a four-bedroom move from Oakland to Washington DC costs from $2,526 to $4,880. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Oakland 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 Oakland to Washington DC:

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How much does it cost to move from Oakland to Washington DC?

Oakland movers charge $147 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 $1,510 - $6,687 $1,653 - $4,197 $1,758 - $3,237
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,508 - $8,869 $2,731 - $6,125 $1,904 - $4,260
4+ bedrooms $8,481 - $13,741 $4,083 - $8,356 $2,526 - $4,880
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,802 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 Oakland to Washington DCtoggle

The cost of Oakland 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 Oakland to Washington DC can be as low as $1,510 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $12,448.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Oakland, 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 $1,758 to $4,722. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Oakland to Washington DC

Oakland Washington DC
Average rent cost $2,200 $2,400
Average home value $736,156 $594,337
Average income (per capita) $94,389 $101,722
Cost of living (single person) $3,146 $1,424
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,584 $5,184
Unemployment rate 4.5% 7.0%
Sales tax 10.25% 6.0%
State income tax 13.3% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Washington DC are 9% higher than in Oakland.
  • Home prices in Washington DC are 19.3% lower than in Oakland.
  • Income in Washington DC is 7.8% higher than in Oakland.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 54.7% lower than in Oakland.
  • The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 39.6% lower than in Oakland.
  • The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 55.56% higher than in Oakland.
  • Sales taxes in Washington DC are 41.46% lower than in Oakland.
  • State income taxes in Washington DC are 56.77% lower than in Oakland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,357.91 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How life is different in Oakland vs. Washington DC

Washington DC Oakland
Population 705,749 440,646
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 8
Walkability score 77 75
Bike friendliness score 70 65
Crime Index 60.37 68.62
Safety Index 39.63 31.38
Air Quality Good Good
  • Washington DC's population is about 60% greater than Oakland.
  • Washington DC's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Oakland's higher score of 8.
  • Washington DC is more walkable than Oakland with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Oakland's 75 out of 100.
  • Washington DC is more bike-friendly than Oakland with a score of 70 out of 100 vs Oakland's 65.
  • Washington DC's crime rate is lower than Oakland with a score of 60.37 compared to Oakland's 68.62. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Oakland neighborhoods are safer than 68.62%.
  • Washington DC is considered to be safer than Oakland with a safety index of 39.63 vs Oakland's 31.38.
  • Air quality in Washington DC is good, and in Oakland it's good.

Other things to consider for your Oakland 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 Oakland to Washington DC?

The best time to move from Oakland 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 Oakland.

When is the cheapest time to move from Oakland to Washington DC?

Because most people are moving from Oakland 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 Oakland to Washington DC take?

The 2,802-mile move from Oakland, CA, to Washington DC, MD, takes seven to 21 days. Some Oakland 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