($1,172) Moving from Chicago to Washington DC
Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Washington DC costs $527 to $5,417 and takes one-six 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 695-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Chicago 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 Chicago guide.
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The best Chicago to Washington DC moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Chicago 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 Chicago to Washington DC.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Washington DC?
Chicago 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 | $1,172 - $3,546 | $756 - $1,900 | $509 - $943 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,181 - $5,417 | $1,415 - $2,556 | $527 - $1,086 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,888 - $7,708 | $1,803 - $3,488 | $658 - $1,384 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Washington DC
The cost of Chicago 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 Chicago to Washington DC can be as low as $1,172 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,274.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Chicago, 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 $509 to $1,269. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Washington DC?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to Washington DC will cost between $1,172 to $3,546. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,181 to $5,417, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to Washington DC will cost from $3,888 to $7,708.
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Washington DC?
Moving containers from Chicago to Washington DC will cost you $756 to $1,900 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,415 to $2,556. A larger home will cost $1,803 to $3,488.
How much is a moving truck from Chicago 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 $509 to $943. A larger move will cost $527 to $1,086, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to Washington DC costs from $658 to $1,384. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Chicago to Washington DC
Cost of living: Chicago vs Washington DC
| Chicago | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,595 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $306,098 | $609,175 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,601 | $635,900 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,001 | $1,211 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $3,584 | $4,423 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 7.0% |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Washington DC are 54% higher than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Washington DC are 99.0% higher than in Chicago.
- Income in Washington DC is 869.3% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 21.0% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 23.4% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 22.22% lower than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Washington DC are 41.46% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Washington DC are 16.16% higher than in Chicago.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,629.37 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How is life different in Chicago compared to Washington DC?
| Washington DC | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 689,545 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 70 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 46.45 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 41.16 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Washington DC's population is about 75% less than Chicago.
- Washington DC's public transportation has a similar score to Chicago.
- Washington DC and Chicago are similarily walkable.
- Washington DC is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 70 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
- Washington DC's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 46.45 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Washington DC is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 41.16 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Washington DC is moderate, and in Chicago it's good.
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 Chicago movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 (847) 378-4949 |
| New City Moving | Get A Quote |
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
| The Professionals Moving Specialists | Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Chicago 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 Chicago to Washington DC?
The best time to move from Chicago 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 Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Washington DC?
Because most people are moving from Chicago 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 Chicago to Washington DC take?
The 695-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Washington DC, MD, takes one-six days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Washington DC.
