Where Are People Moving From DC? Top Relocation Destinations

October 9, 2026

Maryland, Virginia, and New York were the three leading state destinations for people moving out of Washington, DC, in 2024, according to Census Bureau data summarized by USAFacts.

The wider picture is a small net outflow. The D.C. Policy Center's analysis of the Census Bureau's 2025 population estimates puts the Washington metro area at about 3.7 net domestic out-migrants per 1,000 residents, and Alexandria sits well above Arlington, at nearly 14 per 1,000 against a slightly positive rate.

BoxStar Movers' own records add some texture. Among its 70 out-of-region moves recorded between September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026, half went to New York, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. That is a sample of BoxStar customers, not a study of everyone moving away from DC, so this article keeps the two sources clearly separate.

Are People Really Moving Away From the Washington, DC, Area?

On balance, yes: more residents left the D.C. metro area for other parts of the United States than arrived from elsewhere in the country in 2025, although the net difference is small relative to the region's population. Moving away from DC is a real trend, but a modest one.

What the Latest Census Migration Data Shows

The D.C. metro area's estimated net domestic migration rate was about −3.7 per 1,000 residents in 2025, according to the D.C. Policy Center's analysis of the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 population estimates. Net domestic migration is a balance of two flows:

People who left for other parts of the United States
People who arrived from other parts of the United States
The difference between the two, which is the net figure

A rate of about 3.7 per 1,000 means that for every 1,000 residents, roughly 3.7 more people left than arrived. It is not the total number of people moving away from DC, since many people leave and many arrive.

Note: Negative net domestic migration does not mean the metro area shrank. The same analysis found the region's population grew by less than 1 percent in 2025, because international migration and births still added residents.

How Migration Patterns Differ Across DC, Alexandria, and Arlington

Rates vary sharply across the region, so a single metro figure can hide local differences. The table below uses the D.C. Policy Center's reading of the 2025 Census estimates.

Area	Approximate Net Domestic Migration Rate, 2025
Washington, DC, metro area	−3.7 per 1,000 residents
Washington, DC	−6 per 1,000 residents
Alexandria	Nearly −14 per 1,000 residents
Arlington	Slightly positive

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Alexandria had the highest net out-migration rate of the region's three urban jurisdictions, and only Arlington was positive, according to a separate D.C. Policy Center analysis. These rates show how many more people left than arrived. They do not explain why people are moving away from DC or any one jurisdiction.

The next question is where departing households end up.

couple is choosing where to move from dc

Where Did BoxStar's Out-of-Region Moves Go Over the Past Year?

In BoxStar's records, the most frequent out-of-region destinations were New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, which together account for half of its long-distance sample. These first-party records are a supplementary view, not a representative study of regional migration.

The Three Leading States in BoxStar's Long-Distance Records

Of the 70 out-of-region moves BoxStar completed between September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026, 35 went to New York, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.

BoxStar Movers infographic on top moving destinations from dc

Note: Percentages are shares of BoxStar's own 70 out-of-region moves.

Three details limit how far these numbers can be stretched:

They are the most frequent destinations in BoxStar's sample, not necessarily the most popular among everyone leaving the DC metro area
The records cover September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026
BoxStar's service model shapes the mix, since it provides local hourly moves and outbound long-distance moves from the DC area, so households moving in from elsewhere never appear in its records

What Are the Top Relocation Destinations for People Leaving DC?

Maryland, Virginia, and New York lead among people moving away from DC, based on 2024 Census Bureau data summarized by USAFacts. Of the 53,500 people who left Washington, DC, for another state in 2024, 59% moved to just three destinations:

Maryland: 16,800 people
Virginia: 10,000 people
New York: 4,800 people

These are Census-based estimates for people leaving the District. BoxStar's separate long-distance sample is labeled as such in the sections below.

family is moving in into their new house

Maryland: Staying Close to Washington, DC

For households moving away from DC, Maryland was the largest single destination, with 16,800 people leaving for the state in 2024. A move from DC to Maryland is often a short one, since Montgomery and Prince George's counties sit inside the Washington metro area.

That is why Maryland shows up strongly in state-level data without necessarily meaning a departure from the region.

Virginia: Relocating Across the Potomac

Virginia ranked second, with 10,000 people. Northern Virginia sits across the Potomac River from the District, and suburbs such as Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County are part of the metro area.

For many households, moving away from DC to Virginia means a new address within the same metro area.

New York: A Leading Destination in BoxStar's Long-Distance Records

New York was the most frequently recorded out-of-region destination in BoxStar's sample, with 13 of 70 moves. It also ranked third in the Census-based figures, with 4,800 people moving from DC to New York in 2024, so both sources point to it even though they measure different groups.

Tip: Dense areas often involve elevator reservations and limited truck parking, and the same applies when leaving a DC building. This guide to moving with only street parking covers the planning involved.

Pennsylvania: Another Frequent Destination for BoxStar Customers

Pennsylvania accounted for 12 of BoxStar's 70 recorded out-of-region moves. The records do not say which cities customers chose, so these areas are worth exploring rather than ranking:

Philadelphia and its suburbs
Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania
Smaller cities and towns across the state

None of this establishes any area's popularity.

New Jersey: An Interstate Relocation Option

New Jersey accounted for 10 of the 70 recorded moves. Decisions can differ a great deal across the state:

Northern New Jersey sits within New York City's commuting orbit
Central New Jersey falls between New York and Philadelphia
Southern New Jersey is closer to the Philadelphia area

For any of these destinations, these long-distance moving tips help with planning.

Reading the Numbers Before Choosing Where to Move

The answer to where people are moving from DC depends on the geographic scope and dataset. Census records identify broader flows: Maryland, Virginia, and New York led among state destinations in 2024, and the metro area lost about 3.7 residents per 1,000 on net in 2025. BoxStar's records offer a narrower view of its own customers, with half of 70 out-of-region moves going to New York, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.

Both are useful when clearly distinguished.

For anyone planning to move from Washington, DC, the better question is which place fits housing, work, family, and lifestyle priorities, not which destination appears most often in migration statistics.

Timing matters too, and this overview of the best times of year to move in Washington, D.C. helps with the DC side of the move.

Planning a Long-Distance Move From DC?

Get a free moving quote from BoxStar Movers for your move from Washington, DC, to your next home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does moving from DC to Maryland or Virginia count as an interstate move?

Often, yes. Under the federal motor carrier statute, the District of Columbia is treated as a State, so a household move between DC and Maryland or Virginia can count as interstate. Ask the mover how it classifies a short cross-border move.

How can you tell whether an interstate moving company is properly licensed?

Check that the mover has a USDOT number and is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate household goods moves. FMCSA's moving checklist also recommends getting estimates from at least three movers.

Can you use temporary storage between leaving DC and moving into your new home?

Yes. For households moving away from DC, short-term storage can hold belongings between a move-out date and a move-in date, such as when a lease ends before a new home is ready. This moving and storage service guide explains how to fold it into the plan.

How much does it cost to move from DC to another state?

Cost depends mainly on distance, the size and weight of the shipment, the services included, and the moving date. Compare written estimates that show exactly what is included, since local hourly moves and long-distance moves are priced differently.

How long does a long-distance move from Washington, DC, usually take?

Driving time to nearby Northeast cities such as Philadelphia or New York is typically a matter of hours, but the full timeline also includes packing, loading, and the delivery window. Ask for pickup and delivery dates in writing.