Moving to Washington DC Relocation Guide

The political stage of the world, Washington DC, has been drawing many people over the years. Historic points of interest are on every corner of the city and career opportunities are abundant depending on your level of education.

The weather in DC is quite welcoming with the climate offering warm and humid summers and mild winters. You can find the usual traffic congestion, however, it will definitely be better than New York City and Chicago. Washington has a strong job market because the federal government is the main employer along with its various contractors.

People there tend to be focused on making a career, allowing little to no space for personal life, so making new friends can take some time.

Washington DC’s Average Income and Population Number

The overall cost of living is high, yet higher average salaries compensate for it. The median household income for DC is $93,547 according to Census.gov.  The higher cost of living and housing has been in many aspects triggered by the diverse and highly educated population that is unavoidably part of the picture in the Capitol of the World.

The population count is around 700,000 and the city is 9th in size in the country. DC though with the surrounding Maryland and Northern Virginia makes up a highly populated area.

Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland have a population of nearly two million, while Fairfax Virginia has a little above one million. As a part of this Washington DC relocation guide, we will provide you with detailed information about approximate Washington DC moving estimates and rates of the moving companies in the area.

Washington DC Housing Cost and Average Rent

Washington ranks sixth in most affordable housing, which is not bad but still pricey. On the scale of most expensive cities is number eight though. So, it is expensive no matter which angle you adopt.

If you want to live downtown, you would pay an average of $2,370 for one bedroom apartment and around $3,239 for a two-bedroom apartment according to Zumper.com.

However, when relocating to Washington DC you can find cheaper rentals in the surrounding cities and suburbs, which include Baltimore, Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland, as well as Alexandria, Crystal City and Tyson Corner in Northern Virginia.

The average Washington home value is $624,924, down 5.4% over the past year as specified by Zillow.com.

Moving to DC tips – DC Taxes

One of the most important things to know before moving to DC is that the taxation system is quite colorful. When moving to Washington DC expect a sales tax of 6.00%, but then you have a 9.00% tax imposed on any liquor you buy, 10% on restaurant meals and rental cars, 12% on parking fees and 14% on hotel accommodations according to Tax-Rates.org.

Groceries, prescription and non-prescription drugs are exempt from the District sales tax, as well as the residential utilities. The state income tax depends on your income as it varies from 4%, up to 10.75%.

According to the SmartAsset.com calculator in Washington DC if your income is $50,000 then your take-home pay will be $39,911 after taxes.

DC Relocation Guide – Quality of Life

There is a lot to be seen in DC as this is where one can feel the majesty of America. Quantity and quality of historical and governmental buildings surround everyday life.

Washington is also a cosmopolitan city since hundreds of international organizations, lobbyists and protesters come and go every year.

Despite the fact that the city lost many of its citizens to the suburbs, still hundreds of thousands prefer the city because of its rich cultural life, entertainment stages and nightlife.

Some of the top attractions include the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, Lincoln and World War II Memorials.

This friendly and rich city is home to more than 40 theaters which makes the theater scene unbelievably rich. Washington is a place where the political power pulsates and one can feel it by simply walking the streets. Yet you can see that it is not all about politics here once you visit a Broadway play or a downtown nightclub.

Moving to Surrounding Maryland or Northern Virginia

Moving to Washington DC doesn’t necessarily mean relocating to the city. Many people choose to move north or south of it into Northern Virginia or Maryland. Baltimore MD is a popular destination for many moving companies and they can actually offer you some good deals and special discounts.

Baltimore is one of the big cities on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and it is one of the densely populated areas around Washington DC. Many people choose it over the capital because it has a little bit of everything. It’s known as the America in Miniature.

There you have both sea and mountains, urban and rural, modern and historical. Baltimore is rich in historical events and importance. It is the birthplace of the American anthem and of Tupac. It was a key city during events leading to the American Revolution and the African American Civil Rights Movement.

With a nearly three times larger population than Baltimore, Richmond VA is located south of Washington DC. One of the oldest cities in the US, Richmond attracts many visitors and it is a frequent destination for the moving business too. Only a hundred miles away from Washington DC, this city was the capital of the Confederate government during the Civil War.

It has a rich history and one of the first African American neighborhoods in the country was developed there. Richmond is situated on the famous Chesapeake Bay, just 90 miles from the first settlement in Jamestown.

This mid-size city is a flourishing financial center, yet with enough history to reenact the civil war at any time. Every bit of history is well preserved, as this is Richmond’s treasure. The Appalachian Mountains are as close as everything else is, and they offer some of the greatest outdoors in the country.

Richmond has embraced the outdoors and it takes special care in managing it just like in preserving American history.

DC Movers Cost – Washington DC Moving Rate

The greater area of Washington DC undeniably has its charm and can provide you with thousands of reasons to relocate there.

No matter what city you choose, Baltimore, DC, or Richmond you will first have to choose a moving company. If you are moving within your current state boundaries, the moving rate is by the hour, while moving out of state will depend on the weigh and in many cases the cubic feet of your household.

An average rate for a reputable moving company is $90 per hour for local moves (within the state). For long-distance moves, you can ask for specials or flat rates, especially if you are coming from a big city such as New York or Boston.

Remember that it is always better to hire a professional moving company instead of moving on your own. What’s the average cost of movers?

Still, your local DC movers will have to consider the weight of your furniture and belongings. Before settling with a moving company you should check if they are BBB-accredited movers or members of any other moving association. Also, check if they have a proper DC Secretary of State license.

Moreover, make sure the company is insured and licensed. Make sure you research your moving company by reading Washington DC moving reviews. A company’s customer satisfaction rate can tell you a lot about the quality of the work the moving company does. Yelp.com and MyMovingReviews.com will help you do the research.

We hope we were helpful with our extensive Guide to Moving to DC. If you are not sure where you are going to be moving to, you can check out our moving guides for some of the major US cities:

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New York City Moving Guide
Boston Relocation Guide
Moving to Chicago Guide
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