There’s a lot to think about when moving to Washington DC from Vermont. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Washington DC DMV to transfer your Vermont driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Washington DC from Vermont. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Washington DC state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Vermont driver’s license to Washington DC within 30 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Washington DC license plates within 30 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Washington DC and Vermont.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Washington DC.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Washington DC property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Washington DC DMV to transfer your Vermont driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Vermont to Washington DC.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Washington DC.
Moving to Washington DC from Vermont Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Vermont license & registration to Washington DC.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Washington DC here.
Cost of Moving from Vermont to Washington DC
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Vermont to Washington DC will cost.
The rough distance between Washington DC and Vermont is 421 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Vermont to Washington DC
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Washington DC
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Washington DC
When you move to Washington DC, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Washington DC.
Washington DC Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Washington DC, the minimum liability coverage is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident, $5,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage per accident.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$607
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for car insurance in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$2,072
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for full coverage in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Washington DC Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$893
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for your home insurance policy in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Will you own or rent your home?
Washington DC Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Washington DC.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Washington DC
Lower
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Washington DC from Vermont
Transfer your Vermont Driver’s License
within 30 days.
After you’ve moved to Washington DC, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Vermont Car Registration
within 30 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Washington DC license plates.
When you become a resident of Washington DC, you’ll need to transfer your Vermont driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Washington DC. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Washington DC is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident, $5,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage per accident.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Washington DC for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Vermont Driver’s License to Washington DC
Minimum Age for a Washington DC Driver’s License
18 years old
A standard Washington DC driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 18 years old.
Washington DC Driver’s License Expires
every 8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 8 years.
Washington DC Driver’s License Cost
$47.00
A driver’s license will cost around $47.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Washington DC is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Washington DC driver’s license within 30 days.
In Washington DC, driver’s licenses are issued by the DMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Washington DC Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Vermont driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Washington DC address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Washington DC DMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://dmv.dc.gov/.
Washington DC Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Washington DC Driver’s License Test
30 total questions
The Washington DC knowledge exam will typically consist of 30 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Vermont license to Washington DC, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Washington DC.
Before you visit the DMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Washington DC. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Vermont driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Washington DC driving test.
Is your Vermont driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Vermont driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Vermont license should be valid when you apply for a license in Washington DC.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Vermont DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Vermont driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Vermont driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Vermont driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Washington DC license, it’s possible that the DMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Vermont driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Washington DC DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Vermont to Washington DC
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Vermont registration to Washington DC.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Washington DC DMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://dmv.dc.gov/
Washington DC Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Washington DC vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$72+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Washington DC Registration Expiration
every year
In Washington DC, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
Washington DC requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Washington DC.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is required biennially in Washington DC.
New residents in Washington DC are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 30 days.
When moving to Washington DC with vehicles from Vermont, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Washington DC registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Vermont.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Washington DC registration.
- Have a valid Washington DC insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Vermont DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Vermont DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Washington DC vs Vermont
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Vermont to Washington DC including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Washington DC.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Washington DC from Vermont.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Washington DC from Vermont
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax savings when moving to Washington DC from Vermont.
Washington DC Income Tax (effective rates)
4.73% (single) & 3.52% (joint)
Washington DC has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.73% for single filers, and 3.52% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
16.40%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less in income tax in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Washington DC: 16.40% (single), 10.49% (joint)
- Vermont: 18.93% (single), 18.96% (joint)
In Washington DC, your tax would be . In Vermont, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Washington DC from Vermont
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.73% in Washington DC vs 2.74% in Vermont
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 3.52% in Washington DC vs 2.97% in Vermont
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 16.40% in Washington DC vs 18.93% in Vermont
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 10.49% in Washington DC vs 18.96% in Vermont
Sales Tax in Washington DC vs Vermont
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Washington DC Sales Tax
6%
Washington DC has a state sales tax rate of 6%.
STATE_SALES_TAX_RATE is about the same in both Washington DC and Vermont.
Property Taxes in Washington DC vs Vermont
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Washington DC, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Washington DC Property Tax Estimate
0.56%
The property tax rate is lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less for property taxes in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Home Prices in Washington DC
$601,500
On average, the average home price is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Washington DC homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Washington DC vs Vermont?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Washington DC.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Washington DC and Vermont to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Washington DC is
48.70% more expensive
than the national average, compared to 14.90% more expensive for Vermont.
Washington DC Cost of Living Index
148.7
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Cost of Groceries
6.90% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Housing Costs
141.80% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Washington DC Utilities
10.20% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less for your monthly utility bills in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Transportation Costs
7.90% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less on transportation in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Healthcare in Washington DC
4.70% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Miscellaneous Costs
17.70% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Washington DC. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Washington DC than you did in Vermont.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Vermont to Washington DC.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Washington DC.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Vermont to Washington DC.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Washington DC to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Washington DC local.