Moving from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C.
At roughly 118 miles, moving from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C. is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistPA vs DC at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Higher cost of living
Washington D.C. runs about 40% more expensive than Pennsylvania overall. Budget extra for housing, groceries, and day-to-day costs before committing to a new place.
Higher income tax
Washington D.C.'s top income tax rate (~10.75%) is higher than Pennsylvania's (~3.07%). The difference shows up in every paycheck.
Lower property taxes
Washington D.C.'s effective property tax rate (0.6%) is lower than Pennsylvania's (1.26%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
Before You Leave Pennsylvania
Mail your plate back after you get new plates
Get a plate from your new state first. Then mail your Pennsylvania plate to PennDOT. The address is Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Return Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68597, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597. PennDOT marks the plate as dead. This protects you if someone tries to use the plate. Send the registration card with it, as the next step explains. To change the address on your vehicle registration, mail Form MV-8. You cannot do it online.
Source: PennDOT, Moving Out of PennsylvaniaReturn the plate within 30 days of cancelling insurance
Your insurer tells PennDOT when you cancel your policy. PennDOT must receive the plate and registration card no more than 30 days after the insurance was cancelled. If they arrive later, your registration is suspended for three months. To avoid the suspension, return the plate and card when you cancel the policy.
Source: PennDOT, Insurance Law FAQsFile a part-year PA-40 for the year you move
Part-year residents file the same PA-40 form as residents. Fill in the part-year resident oval if you moved out during the year. Pennsylvania taxes all your income while you were a resident. After you move, it taxes only income from Pennsylvania sources. Interest, dividends, and gains on intangible property are not taxed for the part of the year you lived elsewhere.
Source: PA Department of Revenue, PA-40 InstructionsFile a final local earned income tax return
Outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a local earned income tax on top of the state tax. File the annual local return by April 15 of the next year, even if no tax is due. File it with the local tax collector for every tax collection district you lived in during the year. A worksheet on the form splits your income by the number of months at each address.
Source: PA DCED, Annual Local Earned Income Tax Return (CLGS-32-1)Philadelphia residents pay the City Wage Tax instead
Philadelphia does not use the local earned income tax return. All employed Philadelphia residents owe the City Wage Tax, wherever they work. Your employer withholds it from your pay. After you move, you owe it only if you still work in Philadelphia. Non-residents pay a lower rate.
Source: City of Philadelphia, Wage Tax (employers)Rent from a house you kept stays taxable
Nonresidents must report net income from rental property in Pennsylvania. They also report gains from selling real property in Pennsylvania. Nonresidents do not pay Pennsylvania tax on ordinary interest and dividends.
Source: PA Department of Revenue, Nonresidents and Part-Year ResidentsTell the assessor within 45 days if the house is no longer your home
The homestead exclusion covers only your primary residence. If you rent the house out, it no longer qualifies. Notify the county assessor within 45 days. In Philadelphia, notify the Department of Revenue. If you do not, you pay the tax you saved, plus interest. You may also pay a 10 percent penalty.
Source: Montgomery County, Homestead/Farmstead ExclusionYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 118 miles (~2 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Washington D.C. DMV, register to vote in DC, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Pennsylvania
Humid continental with cold winters and warm, humid summers.
Washington D.C.
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Pennsylvania
Washington D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C.?
The driving distance from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C. is approximately 118 miles — about 2 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C.?
A professional interstate move from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C. typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.?
Pennsylvania has a cost of living index of 96.2 versus 134.3 for Washington D.C. (US average = 100).
- Overall, Washington D.C. is about 40% higher than Pennsylvania.
How do property taxes compare between Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.?
Pennsylvania's effective property tax rate is about 1.26%, versus 0.6% in Washington D.C..
- On a typical home that difference lowers your annual holding costs, so factor it in if you plan to buy.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Washington D.C.?
After establishing residency in Washington D.C., you have 60 days to update your driver's license at a Washington D.C. DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Washington D.C. DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. has humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- The annual average temperature is 56°F, with about 39 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $113.