($1,846) Movers From Olympia, WA to Washington DC, MD

What to know before moving from Olympia to Washington DC

Moving from Olympia to Washington DC comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Washington DC is generally more expensive than Olympia, 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 27% higher than in Olympia, 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 Olympia.
  Home prices in Washington DC are 16.8% higher than in Olympia.
• Income in Washington DC is 53.0% higher than in Olympia, 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 60.3% higher than in Olympia. 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 105.8% higher than in Olympia.
• The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 25.00% higher than in Olympia.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Washington DC, since the city’s sales taxes in Washington DC are 36.17% lower than in Olympia.
• State income taxes in Washington DC are 5.75% higher than in Olympia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,807.52 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Olympia.

How life is different in Olympia vs. Washington DC

• The population of Washington DC is about 1,169% greater than Olympia, 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 Olympia, based on public transportation ratings. Washington DC has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Olympia. 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 Olympia. Washington DC is considered more walkable than Olympia, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 39 out of 100 in Olympia. 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 Olympia 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 Olympia is rated as 59 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Washington DC is higher than in Olympia, 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 27.95 in Olympia. 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 Olympia, whose index is Olympia's 62.25. 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 Olympia 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 Olympia 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: 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: 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Maryland, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Maryland 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 Washington DC 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. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Washington DC

With your sights set on "DC", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Washington DC.

Helpful moving resources