MOVING near you

City Relocation Guide

Moving to Washington, DC

Population 689,545 · DCA Airport · Eastern Time

Everything you need to know about housing, neighborhoods, and the local lifestyle before you pack your boxes.

Median Home

$620,000

Rent (1BR)

$2,200/mo

Cost of Living

152 / 100

Unemployment

4.5%

Sunny Days

203/yr

Walkability

Very Walkable

What It's Really Like in Washington

The nation's capital with free world-class museums, excellent public transit, and a highly educated workforce. Expensive but offers unmatched cultural and professional opportunities.

Neighborhood Guide

Where to live in Washington based on your lifestyle and budget.

Dupont Circle

trendy

Embassy Row elegance with excellent restaurants, bookshops, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. One of DC's most walkable neighborhoods.

Avg Rent

$2,400

Home Price

$700,000

Walkability

High

Capitol Hill

family-friendly

Historic row houses near the Capitol with Eastern Market, family-friendly streets, and strong community identity.

Avg Rent

$2,300

Home Price

$800,000

Walkability

High

Adams Morgan

artsy

Diverse neighborhood with international dining on 18th Street and vibrant nightlife. DC's most culturally eclectic area.

Avg Rent

$2,000

Home Price

$550,000

Walkability

High

Georgetown

upscale

Historic cobblestone streets, M Street shopping, and waterfront dining. DC's most prestigious neighborhood.

Avg Rent

$2,800

Home Price

$1,200,000

Walkability

High

Cost of Living Breakdown

Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.

Groceries

108

8% above avg

Housing

218

118% above avg

Transportation

110

10% above avg

Healthcare

106

6% above avg

Utilities

100

At average

Best Neighborhoods By Situation

Best for Families

Capitol Hill — $2,300/mo rent

Best for Young Professionals

Dupont Circle — $2,400/mo rent

Most Affordable

Adams Morgan — $2,000/mo rent
Capitol Hill — $2,300/mo rent

Most Walkable

Dupont Circle — walkability: high
Capitol Hill — walkability: high
Adams Morgan — walkability: high
Georgetown — walkability: high

Getting Around Washington

Walkability: Very Walkable

Washington is one of the more walkable cities in the US. Many daily errands can be accomplished on foot, and public transit is a viable option for most residents.

Airport: DCA

Washington is served by DCA airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.

Jobs & Economy

Median Income

$93,547

Unemployment Rate

4.5%

State Income Tax

4-10.75%

Cost of Living Index

152

Top Industries

GovernmentDefense ContractingTechnologyLawInternational Organizations

Major Employers

Federal GovernmentGeorgetown UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityMedStar HealthBooz Allen Hamilton

Popular Routes to Washington

People are moving to Washington from these cities.

New York, NYWashington

225 miles4hr driveI-95 South

Washington, DCWashington

1,060 miles15hr driveI-95 South

Washington, DCWashington

400 miles6hr driveI-85 South

Washington, DCWashington

640 miles10hr driveI-85 South

Washington, DCWashington

660 miles10hr driveI-81 South

Washington, DCWashington

920 miles14hr driveI-95 South

Washington, DCWashington

275 miles4.5hr driveI-85 South

Washington, DCWashington

1,530 miles22hr driveI-81 South

Washington, DCWashington

2,983 miles54.2hr driveI-40 West

Moving from Washington to Other States

Route guides from Washington, DC to every US state.

Washington → California Washington → Texas Washington → Florida Washington → New York Washington → Pennsylvania Washington → Illinois Washington → Ohio Washington → Georgia Washington → North Carolina Washington → Michigan Washington → New Jersey Washington → Virginia Washington → Washington Washington → Arizona Washington → Massachusetts Washington → Tennessee Washington → Indiana Washington → Maryland Washington → Missouri Washington → Wisconsin Washington → Colorado Washington → Minnesota Washington → South Carolina Washington → Alabama Washington → Louisiana Washington → Kentucky Washington → Oregon Washington → Oklahoma Washington → Connecticut Washington → Utah Washington → Iowa Washington → Nevada Washington → Arkansas Washington → Mississippi Washington → Kansas Washington → New Mexico Washington → Nebraska Washington → Idaho Washington → West Virginia Washington → Hawaii Washington → New Hampshire Washington → Maine Washington → Rhode Island Washington → Montana Washington → Delaware Washington → South Dakota Washington → North Dakota Washington → Alaska Washington → Vermont Washington → Wyoming

Moving from Washington to Metro Areas

Route guides from Washington to major metropolitan areas.

Washington → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Washington → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Washington → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Washington → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Washington → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Washington → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Washington → Trenton-Princeton, NJ Washington → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Washington → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Washington → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Washington → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Washington → Vallejo, CA Washington → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Washington → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Washington → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA Washington → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Washington → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Washington → Kenosha, WI Washington → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Moving from Washington to Major Cities

Route guides from Washington to the largest US cities.

Your Washington Newcomer Checklist

A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.

30

First 30 Days

Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
Register to vote at your new address
Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
Find a primary care doctor & dentist
Open a local bank account if needed
Explore your neighborhood on foot

60

Days 30–60

Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
Attend a local event or festival
Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself

90

Days 60–90

Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
Build a professional network in your industry
Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
Explore day-trip destinations nearby
Start feeling like a local — give directions!
Invite friends & family to visit your new home

Ready to Move to Washington?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with relocations to Washington, DC.