Moving from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, CA

Embrace the beach lifestyle in California

Moving from the United States capital, Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, CA, takes you to the second-largest city in the U.S. 

While D.C. has around 690,000 people in the city and 6.4 million in the metro area, LA is much larger with 3.9 million in the city and just under 13 million in the metro.

 Keep reading to learn more about life in the “City of Angels.”

Ready for warm California summers and drier weather?
D.C.’s humid subtropical climate is a noticeable contrast to the warm, Mediterranean climate of LA. The temperature range in Washington, D.C., is greater than in LA, with annual temperatures ranging from 27 to 89 degrees. California’s summers are a bit cooler, with an average high of 84 degrees, and its winters are significantly warmer, with lows averaging only 46 degrees.

Los Angeles has a drier climate, with an average annual rainfall of only 16 inches and no snowfall. Washington, D.C., however, averages 43 inches of rain and 14 inches of snow.

Be prepared for an average of 284 sunny days in LA, 80 more than in D.C.

Finding work in LA

It’s no surprise that the entertainment industry is popular in LA, but there are many other sectors with employment opportunities. Healthcare, social assistance, technical services, manufacturing, defense and aerospace are also growing industries in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The city and county of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, UCLA, Kaiser Permanente, USC, Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Target Corporation are among the largest employers in LA.

Plan to rely less on public transit

LA’s public transportation is not as robust as the public transportation system in D.C., so many residents rely on personal vehicles or rideshare services for travel to work and entertainment. 

Here are some interesting places to visit while exploring the town:

  • Disneyland (in nearby Anaheim)
  • Griffith Park & Observatory (view the Hollywood sign)
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
  • Malibu Beaches
  • Santa Monica Pier
  • Universal Studios Hollywood

Move to California with U-Pack

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and nearly 30 years of experience in long-distance moves. Our locations near D.C. and LA are ready to serve you. We’re a DIY moving service where you handle packing, loading, and unloading, and we take care of driving your belongings to your new home in California. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.