($937) Movers From Arlington, VA to New York City, NY

What to know before moving from Arlington to New York City

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

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

• Rent prices in New York City are 60% higher than in Arlington, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in New York City.
  Home prices in New York City are 7.1% lower than in Arlington.
• Income in New York City is 39.1% lower than in Arlington, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
• The cost of living for a single person in New York City is 17.2% lower than in Arlington. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 26.0% higher than in Arlington.
• The unemployment rate in New York City is 180.00% higher than in Arlington.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the city’s sales taxes in New York City are 33.33% higher than in Arlington.
• State income taxes in New York City are 89.57% higher than in Arlington.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,482.74 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Arlington.

How life is different in Arlington vs. New York City

• The population of New York City is about 3,360% greater than Arlington, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New York City offers better access to buses and trains than Arlington, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 9 in Arlington. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New York City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Arlington. New York City is considered more walkable than Arlington, with a score of 88 out of 100 versus 71 out of 100 in Arlington. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• New York City and Arlington are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 69 and 72 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 New York City is higher than in Arlington, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.83 in New York City, it is 15.67 in Arlington. 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 New York City. With a crime index of 49.17, New York City ranks lower in overall safety than Arlington, whose index is Arlington's 79.15. 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 New York City and Arlington 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 Arlington vs. New York City move

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in New York, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While New York doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to New York City without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in New York City

With your sights set on "Big Apple", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in New York City.

Helpful moving resources