Factors affecting the cost of moving from WA to NHtoggle

There are many factors that influence Washington moving costs. The cost to move from Washington to New Hampshire will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Washington is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from WA to NH

If you’re moving to New Hampshire from Washington, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Washington vs. New Hampshire

Washington New Hampshire
Average rent cost $1,900 $1,336
Average home cost $588,856 $478,955
Average income (per capita) $90,325 $90,845
Cost of Living Index 115 100
Unemployment rate 4.8% 2.1%
Average Sales Tax 6.5% 0.0%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.0%
  • Rent is about 30% less expensive in New Hampshire than in Washington.
  • Home prices are about 19% lower in New Hampshire than in Washington.
  • The average income is about the same in New Hampshire and Washington.
  • Cost of living is 13% lower in New Hampshire than in Washington.
  • New Hampshire has a lower unemployment rate than Washington by about 56%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in New Hampshire than in Washington.
  • Income taxes are 4% higher in New Hampshire than in Washington.

How life is different in New Hampshire vs. Washington

New Hampshire Washington
Population 1,402,054 7,812,880
Political leaning Democratic 50.8-48.1 Democratic
Summer high 80ºF 79ºF
Winter low 9ºF 31ºF
Annual rain 46" 38"
Annual snow 68" 18"
Crime index 11.37 37.32
  • The population of New Hampshire is approximately 82% lower than the population of Washington.
  • In the last presidential election, New Hampshire voted Democratic and Washington voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New Hampshire is 80ºF and in Washington, it’s 79ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New Hampshire reaches the temperature of 9ºF and Washington gets down to 31ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in New Hampshire versus 38 inches of rainfall in Washington.
  • In New Hampshire, it snows about 68 inches annually versus 18 inches of snow in Washington.
  • New Hampshire has a lower crime rate than Washington with a crime index of 11.37 vs. 37.32.

Comparing the pros of Washington vs. New Hampshire

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New Hampshire compared to Washington.

Pros of living in Washington Pros of living in New Hampshire
Beautiful landscapes Natural beauty
Ample economic opportunity Tranquil
High quality of life Ample economic opportunity
Bountiful recreational opportunities No sales tax
Delicious seafood Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Washington vs. New Hampshire

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Washington for New Hampshire.

Cons of living in Washington Cons of living in New Hampshire
Constant rain Long harsh winters
Bad traffic Limited diversity
High cost of living Heavy traffic
High crime rate Few urban amenities
Natural disasters High cost of living

Other things to consider for your Washington to New Hampshire movetoggle

  • Weather: New Hampshire has warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and especially severe in the northern and mountainous areas. Average annual snowfall ranges from 60 inches to over 100 inches across the state.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New Hampshire moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: New Hampshire does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New Hampshire. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for a cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in New Hampshiretoggle

While you’re in New Hampshire, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Mount Washington Auto Road
  • Conway Scenic Railroad
  • Castle in the Clouds
  • Hampton Beach
  • Lakes Region
  • Mount Monadnock
  • Polar Caves Park
  • Kancamagus Highway
  • Franconia Notch State Park
  • Winnipesaukee
  • Strawbery Banke Museum
  • Story Land
  • Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
  • Clark’s Bears
  • Isles of Shoals
  • Prescott Park
  • Currier Museum of Art
  • Santa’s Village
  • Attitash Mountain Resort
  • Bretton Woods Mountain Resort

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Washington to New Hampshire?toggle

Hiring a full-service Washington moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Washington to New Hampshire?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Washington to New Hampshire separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Washington to New Hampshire?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Washington to New Hampshire are the amazing upsides of living in New Hampshire such as natural beauty and tranquil.

Is it cheaper to live in Washington or New Hampshire?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in New Hampshire than in Washington. Housing is more affordable in New Hampshire, with average rent about 30% less and home prices 18.7% lower than in Washington. Washington has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Hampshire?toggle

You should make approximately $79,795 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New Hampshire. The cost of living in New Hampshire is approximately $2,853 per month for an individual and $7,000 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Hampshire you live For example, larger cities like Manchester and Nashua will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources