($862) Movers From New York City, NY to Washington DC, MD

What to know before moving from New York City to Washington DC

Moving from New York City to Washington DC means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in New York City than in Washington DC, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how New York City compares to Washington DC so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Washington DC are 45% lower than in New York City, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Washington DC.
  Home prices in Washington DC are 21.0% lower than in New York City.
• Income in Washington DC is 30.3% higher than in New York City, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Washington DC include Department of Homeland Security, US Navy, and United States Postal Service.
• The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 30.3% lower than in New York City. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 26.4% lower than in New York City.
• The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 37.50% lower than in New York City.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Washington DC, since the city’s sales taxes in Washington DC are 25.00% lower than in New York City.
• One perk of moving to Washington DC is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.25% lower than in New York City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,092.03 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.

How life is different in New York City vs. Washington DC

• Washington DC might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 91% less than New York City.
• Getting around Washington DC without a car might be more difficult than in New York City. Washington DC has a public transportation score of 9 out of 10, whereas New York City is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Washington DC neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as New York City. Based on its score of 77 out of 100, Washington DC isn’t as walkable as New York City, which has a score of 88 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Washington DC and New York City are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 70 and 69 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Washington DC is higher than in New York City, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 60.37 in Washington DC, it is 50.83 in New York City. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Washington DC. With a crime index of 39.63, Washington DC ranks lower in overall safety than New York City, whose index is New York City's 49.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Washington DC and New York City is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your New York City 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Maryland, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toWashington DC Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Washington DC

Now that you’ve chosen "DC" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Washington DC to check out.

Helpful moving resources