Are you thinking of moving from Washington, DC to San Diego? A major journey like that usually requires the help of trained professionals. You want to be sure that your belongings arrive safely at your new home without any disruptions or delays. Whether you're relocating to the West Coast for work, getting ready to retire, or preparing to start a family, trust the award-winning team of Washington, DC, to San Diego movers at Republic to take you where you need to go.
What's Moving to San Diego Like?
San Diego is a beautiful coastal paradise with plenty to offer residents of all different backgrounds. The San Diego population is 1.38 million, making it the 8th largest city in the United States. Located in Southern California, about 2 hours south of LA, the city has a laid-back, beach-centric culture with plenty of great shopping and restaurants. San Diego is known for its pristine beaches and near-perfect weather. The San Diego climate is generally mild year-round, and temperatures usually range from about 50°F to 77°F. It averages 266 sunny days per year, which is one of the major benefits of moving to San Diego.
Notable San Diego attractions include the massive Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. You'll also find plenty of fun things to do in San Diego with kids such as SeaWorld San Diego or Old Town. Another advantage of moving to San Diego is its diverse and exciting culture. Situated just 17 miles north of the Mexican border, San Diego is a true melting pot that takes inspiration from its diverse community of residents. Residents will find a variety of great San Diego restaurants and bars serving everything from farm-to-table cuisine to authentic Mexican food.
The cost of living in San Diego is not the most affordable. The average rent in San Diego is $2,997 per month, and the median home price is $910,000. However, the purchasing power of the average resident is also high. The average salary in San Diego is $87,000, and the median household income is $98,657. So even though the San Diego cost of living is high compared to the national average, there are also plenty of good job opportunities.
Benefits of Moving from Washington DC to San Diego
Now that you understand the advantages of moving to America's Finest City, you may want to compare living in San Diego vs Washington DC side by side. Here is a breakdown of how living in San Diego compares to the nation's capital.
San Diego vs. Washington DC Cost of Living
The cost of living in both cities is higher than the national average. However, there is a slightly higher cost of living in San Diego vs Washington DC. San Diego real estate tends to be more expensive. The median sales price for a home in San Diego is $910,000 compared to $612,500 in DC. The average rent in DC is $2,400 per month. That means rent in San Diego vs Washington DC is 22% higher.
According to the Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute, the average family of four with two adults and two kids would need to earn $140,570 to afford the cost of living in San Diego, while the same family would need $131,757 to live in DC.
San Diego vs. Washington DC Crime Rate
San Diego is safe for a city of its size, and Washington, DC, has a higher crime rate. Here is a full breakdown of the Washington DC vs San Diego crime rate and how they compare to the rest of the US:
| Washington DC |
Incidents per 100,000 residents |
% higher than the rest of the US |
| Total crime |
4,389 |
87.1% higher |
| Violent Crime |
958 |
147% higher |
| Murder |
28 |
327% higher |
| Property Crime |
3,431 |
75.2% higher |
| San Diego |
Incidents per 100,000 residents |
% lower than the rest of the US |
| Total Crime |
2,061 |
12% lower |
| Violent Crime |
369 |
4.8% lower |
| Murder |
4 |
38.9% lower |
| Property Crime |
1,692 |
13.6% lower |
Neighborhoods and Diversity
Both cities are diverse and feature many distinct neighborhoods and ethnic enclaves. San Diego is home to about 100 unique and exciting communities, while DC features 131 official neighborhoods. While San Diego’s demographics feature a larger Hispanic population due to its proximity to Mexico, DC is home to a larger African American population.
Weather
Almost anyone would agree that the San Diego climate is better than in Washington DC. The summer high in San Diego is 78.5°F, while the winter low is 45.6°F. The weather in DC is more extreme, and the summer high is 88.5°F, while the winter low is 26.5°F. DC also gets about 43.3 inches of rain and 13.7 inches of snow per year. It never snows in San Diego, and the city only gets about 11.7 inches of rain per year.
Things to Do
San Diego is a larger city and offers a wider variety of attractions, from Seaport Village to the USS Midway Museum. Washington DC has more historic attractions and cultural monuments like the National Mall and the Smithsonian Museum. There are also more fun things to do in San Diego with kids. There is a popular debate as to which is better, the San Diego Zoo vs the Washington DC Zoo. Although both have their unique advantages, the San Diego Zoo is more famous and nationally recognized.
Schools
The educational system in both cities is quality for large urban areas, although DC has a higher concentration of top-rated schools. According to US News and World Report, the DC metro area has 186 nationally ranked schools, including 94 that are within the top 25%. The San Diego school district has about 126 schools that are nationally ranked, with 51 in the top 25%.
Public Transportation/Traffic
Washington, DC, has better public transportation and worse traffic congestion than San Diego. In a study by WalletHub, DC ranked number four in the country for public transportation, while San Diego ranked 19th. However, a recent study by geolocation company TomTom found that DC had the 2nd worst traffic congestion in the US after New York City. DC residents spend an average of 30.5 minutes commuting daily, while San Diego residents average about 24 minutes.
Culture/Vibe
It’s a very different vibe in Washington DC vs San Diego The best things to do in San Diego tend to revolve around the beach or its coastal location. San Diego is a haven for surfers, fishermen, outdoor enthusiasts, and military families who work at the naval base. DC is a government town, and most of the culture revolves around work and politics. It tends to have a more fast-paced, work-hard play, play-hard mentality, although there are parts of DC that are more laid back.
Sports
San Diego is home to the San Diego Padres in the MLB, the San Diego Gulls in the AHL, and the San Diego Wave in the NWSL. DC is home to the Washington Capitals in the NHL, the Washington Wizards in the NBA, the Washington Commanders in the NFL, and the Washington Nationals in the MLB.
Washington DC to San Diego Movers
Whatever's motivating your relocation, hiring a professional crew of Washington DC to San Diego long distance movers is always the right call. Traveling cross country is no easy feat and typically requires more assistance than friends and family can provide. Professional San Diego cross-country movers will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your journey will be safe and efficient. Full-service San Diego long distance moving companies also provide a range of services that you may need, including packing, storage, or furniture assembly.
What you can expect when you hire our San Diego out of state movers:
- A moving coordinator will organize the process
- High-quality moving boxes and packing materials are provided
- Specially-trained packers will inventory and pack all your belongings
- The loading and unloading of all your boxes, furniture, and belongings
- Transportation of all items to your final destination
- Unpacking and assembly of all items in your new home
- The crew will place furniture in the appropriate rooms
- Storage available after your relocation (if needed)
- Help with moving appliances (connection/disconnection not included)
Regardless of your requirements, our qualified Washington DC to San Diego long distance movers will help make your travels smooth and stress-free. Call us today to get started with a free, moving quote.
Why Republic Moving and Storage is Your Best Washington DC to San Diego Moving Company Choice?
An experienced San Diego long distance moving company can make your life easier in more ways than one. But an unreliable crew will only cause more difficulties. So before hiring anyone in particular, do your research to find the best team for the job.
Here are a few ways to find the best Washington DC to San Diego long distance moving company:
- Look for any reviews on Google or Yelp
- Visit their home page to look for key stats like how long they've been in business and how many long distance moves they've performed.
- Make sure they have the proper licensing and insurance.
- Confirm they have the right equipment and trucks for safely transporting your belongings cross country
- Do they have a friendly and reliable customer service team?
- Do they fulfill all your main requirements?
Republic Moving is a top-rated San Diego long distance moving company that has been in business for over 50 years. During our time in the moving industry, we've maintained a solid referral rate of 97% and a claims rate of less than 1%. We also have hundreds of positive long distance moving reviews on Google to prove our experience.
We have an experienced team of over 75 San Diego long distance movers across two locations. In addition to an expert crew, we also have a fleet of new, well-maintained commercial moving trucks with tractor-trailers, GPS and a suite of specialized tools. Our Washington, DC, to San Diego long distance movers are highly skilled at tasks like preparing your home, assembly and disassembly, transportation, and more. So count on us to make your transition effortless and efficient.
Washington DC to San Diego Moving Cost
You may be curious to know exactly how much it will cost to hire San Diego cross country movers. Moving companies set their rates based on a range of factors that will impact the difficulty of the job.
Variables to consider include:
- The distance between the starting point and your final destination
- The date and timing of your relocation
- The number of boxes/furniture and weight of your belongings
- The need for additional services or storage
The best way to get a clear estimate is to contact our customer service team and request a free quote. We offer both in-home and virtual estimates, depending on what is most convenient. But no matter how challenging your journey may be, you can rest assured that the quote will be affordable.
Washington DC to San Diego Distance & Travel Information
While our San Diego long distance movers are busy transporting your belongings to the final destination, you'll need to secure your own transportation. Here are a few ways you can travel from Washington DC to San Diego:
- Driving: Washington DC is about 2,650 miles from San Diego, which means it will take about 40 hours to make the drive. Luckily, there are many great attractions to stop and see on the way, including the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville or the Ozark - St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas.
- Train: Taking a train from Washington, DC, to San Diego takes about 3 days and requires multiple stops. Tickets on Amtrak start at about $300 for a coach seat, although you can also get a private room for about $1500.
- Plane: The fastest way to travel is to fly from Dulles International Airport (DCA) to the San Diego International Airport (SAN). Flights take about 5 to 6 hours non-stop or 10 hours with a connection. Tickets start at $237 from airlines like United, Southwest, and American Airlines.
If you’re planning on moving from Washington DC to San Diego, you’ll need a reliable team who is up to the task. The impeccable San Diego long distance movers at Republic Moving and Storage are ready to help with affordable rates and an award-winning crew. Call (619) 591-0079 for a free moving quote.
