Washington DC, MD to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Washington DC to Arlington typically costs $700–$2,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 4 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Washington DC to Arlington
Moving from Washington DC, MD to Arlington, VA typically costs $700–$2,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 4-mile move from Washington DC to Arlington, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- American Van Lines recently quoted $1,750 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $698 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $694 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Mar 04, 2026
Studio apartment
Mar 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 20, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 07, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 23, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 06, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 04, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 16, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Washington DC to Arlington
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $400, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $3,500.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($0–$100) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Arlington, VA to Washington DC, MD guide.
Best Washington DC to Arlington movers by type
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Best professional movers from Washington DC to Arlington
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Washington DC to Arlington, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best MD→VA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 51 Maryland moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Washington DC to Arlington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 73% higher for singles and 8% higher for families than Washington DC.
Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $3,963 in Washington DC; families pay $11,970 compared with $11,093.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Washington DC | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,568 | $2,475 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,417 | $4,350 |
| Average home value | $594,337 | $810,670 |
| Average income (per capita) | $101,722 | $128,145 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,963 | $6,867 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,093 | $11,970 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.0% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 5.75% |
- Rent is estimated to be 13% higher in Arlington compared to Washington DC; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 36% greater in Arlington than in Washington DC.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 26% higher in Arlington than in Washington DC, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Arlington, since the cost of living for a single person in Arlington is 73% higher than in Washington DC. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Arlington, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 8% greater than in Washington DC.
- Arlington enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 43% lower compared to Washington DC, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes show little difference between Arlington and Washington DC (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
- Income taxes are on par between Virginia and Maryland, within a 5% range, providing a predictable deduction from your income as you change locations.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Washington DC and Arlington:
| Living Expense | Washington DC | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $191.62 | $208.70 |
| Cell phone plan | $65.80 | $59.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.67 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.43 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $24.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $103.76 | $77.25 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Washington DC than in Arlington, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Washington DC than in Arlington.
- Eggs cost more in Washington DC than in Arlington.
- Bread is more expensive in Washington DC than in Arlington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Washington DC than in Arlington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Washington DC than in Arlington.
- Gym memberships cost more in Washington DC than in Arlington.
How life is different in Washington DC vs. Arlington
| Washington DC | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 238,643 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 71 |
| Bike friendliness score | 70 | 72 |
| Crime index | 60.37 | 15.67 |
| Safety index | 39.63 | 79.15 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Arlington's population is about 64% less than Washington DC.
- Arlington's public transportation score is within about 5% of Washington DC, making them very similar.
- Arlington is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
- Both Arlington and Washington DC have similar bike-friendliness scores (70 vs 72), meaning Arlington is about as safe for cyclists as Washington DC. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Arlington's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 15.67 compared to Washington DC's 60.37. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37%.
- Arlington is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 79.15 vs Washington DC's 39.63.
- Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in Washington DC it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Washington DC to Arlington move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Virginia doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- 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 to Arlington. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Arlington
Now that you've decided to make the move to , these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Arlington.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Aurora Highlands
- Ballston-Virginia Square
- Bluemont
- Clarendon-Courthouse
- Radnor-Ft Myer Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Arlington Ridge
- Barcroft
- Chain Bridge Forest
- Cherrydale
- Dominion Hills
- Forest Glen
- Lyon Village
- Penrose
- Westover Village
Things to do in Arlington
Once you're settled into your new home in Virginia, it's time to get out and discover what Arlington has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Arlington, such as the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Arlington Youth Football Club game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Arlington?
The best time to move from Washington DC to Arlington is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.
When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Arlington?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Washington DC to Arlington, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Washington DC to Arlington take?
Moving from Washington DC, MD to Arlington, VA covers 4 miles and usually takes to days. Need to move faster? Some Washington DC movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Arlington.
Which movers in Washington DC give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 7 movers give special rates to military members. 14 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Washington DC?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 59 movers in Washington DC advertise piano moving expertise. 44 movers in Washington DC provide antique moving services. State totals show 37 piano movers and 30 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
