($1,079) Movers From Albany, NY to Washington DC, MD

What to know before moving from Albany to Washington DC

Moving from Albany to Washington DC comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Washington DC is generally more expensive than Albany, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Washington DC are 66% higher than in Albany, 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 Albany.
  Home prices in Washington DC are 111.1% higher than in Albany.
• Income in Washington DC is 52.9% higher than in Albany, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Washington DC, since the cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 120.0% higher than in Albany. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Washington DC, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 163.8% higher than in Albany.
• The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 1.41% lower than in Albany.
• 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 Albany.
• One perk of moving to Washington DC is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.25% lower than in Albany.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,601.33 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albany.

How life is different in Albany vs. Washington DC

• The population of Washington DC is about 611% greater than Albany, 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.
• Washington DC offers better access to buses and trains than Albany, based on public transportation ratings. Washington DC has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in Albany. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Washington DC means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Albany. Washington DC is considered more walkable than Albany, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 65 out of 100 in Albany. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Washington DC is considered more bike-friendly than Albany in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Washington DC has a bike-friendliness score of 70 out of 100, while Albany is rated as 55 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Washington DC is higher than in Albany, 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 10.0 in Albany. 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 Albany, whose index is Albany's 49.65. 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 Albany 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 Albany 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