DC → FL · Capital City to Theme Park Capital

Moving from Washington to Orlando?

DC to Orlando — DC 8.95% to FL 0% saves $8,950/yr, housing 50% cheaper — federal/HHS → Disney + Universal + AdventHealth + Lockheed Martin Missiles + UCF.

850 mi Distance
13 hr Drive time
50% lower Home prices
$8,950/yr Tax savings on $100K

The Story

DC-to-Orlando is federal/HHS → Disney + Lockheed Missiles + AdventHealth move. DC 8.95% → FL 0% saves $8,950/yr. Housing 50% cheaper, COL 35% lower. Pull: Walt Disney World (largest single-site US employer), Universal Orlando, AdventHealth (Cerner bridge), Orlando Health, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control (defense lateral), UCF.

Why This Move

Why people move from Washington to Orlando.

Walt Disney World — largest single-site US employer
Universal Orlando + SeaWorld — theme park
AdventHealth — largest FL system (Cerner data bridge)
Orlando Health + UCF Medical
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control — direct defense/federal lateral
Modeling Sim/Training Industry (military training corridor)
No state tax (saves $8,950/yr)
Magic + Pride sports + theme park culture

Cost Comparison

The money side of DC → FL.

Washington

Median home$600,000
Income tax8.95% (DC)
Cost index152

Orlando

Median home$300,000
Income taxNone (FL)
Cost index99

What to Do in Orlando

Things you'll want to know about your new city.

Bookmark this page — these are the icons of Orlando, organized by what kind of day you're planning.

Outdoors & Recreation

Lake Eola Park — Downtown lake, swan boats, farmers market Sundays
Harry P. Leu Gardens — 50-acre botanical garden in Orlando
Wekiwa Springs State Park — Crystal-clear spring; tubing, kayaking

Culture & Arts

Orlando Museum of Art — Notable American art collection

Family-Friendly

Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
Universal Orlando Resort — Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure + Volcano Bay
SeaWorld Orlando — Marine park with rides; Discovery Cove sister park
Kennedy Space Center (1 hr east) — Active rocket launch site; Atlantis exhibit
ICON Park — International Drive entertainment complex; Ferris wheel
Gatorland — 1949 'Alligator Capital of the World'; zip line over alligators

Where to Eat

Orlando's essential restaurants.

The dining list every Orlando resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.

Capa Spanish Lake Buena Vista (Four Seasons)

Michelin-starred Spanish from Andrew Zimmerman
Soseki Modern Omakase Japanese Winter Park

Counter-style omakase
Kadence Sushi tasting Audubon Park

9-seat omakase counter
Sette Italian Lake Nona

Modern Italian; chef Eric Schmidt
Black Rooster Taqueria Mexican Mills 50 District

Cult-favorite tacos
The Boheme American Downtown (Grand Bohemian)

Hotel restaurant with chef-driven menu
Chau's Cafe Vietnamese Mills 50

Best banh mi in town
Ravenous Pig Gastropub Winter Park

Farm-to-table; brewery

Where to Live

Best Orlando neighborhoods for Washington transplants.

Mapped to the Washington neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.

Thornton Park

If Logan Circle was your scene — walkable, restaurants, nightlife
Mills 50 District

If H Street NE was your vibe — eclectic, walkable, food
College Park

If Capitol Hill was your historic vibe — tree-lined, walkable, family-friendly
Winter Park (suburb)

If Bethesda was your model — top schools, walkable Park Ave
Lake Nona (suburb)

If you wanted master-planned — KPMG/medical city, top schools
Baldwin Park

If you wanted master-planned — walkable, family-friendly

Climate & Walkability

What daily life feels like in Orlando.

Climate

Humid subtropical. Hot, humid summers (72-93°F, May-Oct) with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Mild winters (50-72°F). Hurricane season June-November (inland is safer than coast). 233 sun days/year.

Summer72-92°F
Winter50-72°F
Sun days/yr233
Rainfall51 inches

Walkability

Walk Score41/100
Transit Score33/100
Bike Score55/100

Orlando is car-dependent — most errands require driving.

Outdoors & Recreation

Wekiwa Springs State Park — crystal spring, tubing, swimming
Lake Eola — downtown park with swan boats
Kayaking on Winter Park's Chain of Lakes
St. Cloud Lake — boating, fishing
Atlantic beaches (1 hr east) — Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna
Gulf beaches (90 min west) — Clearwater, St. Pete

Reality Check

What changes about your daily life.

DC 8.95% becomes FL 0% — saves $8,950/year on $100K
Housing 50% cheaper — $600K DC becomes $300K Orlando
COL 35% lower
Climate flips humid subtropical to humid subtropical (Orlando hotter, hurricanes, no real winter)
Property tax FL 0.95% higher than DC 0.85%
Walkability decrease — DC Metro vs Orlando car-dependent
Federal/HHS → Lockheed Missiles direct defense lateral or Disney/AdventHealth corporate
Sports — gain Magic, lose Commanders

Driving Routes

How to drive there.

I-95 S to I-4 W

850 miles via Richmond, Savannah, Jacksonville. 13 hours / 2 days.

Move Logistics

What it takes to move 850 miles.

Full-service (3BR)$4,500-$8,000
Container/PODS$3,200-$5,200
DIY (26-ft truck)$2,300-$4,200
Best monthsOct-May (avoid summer + hurricanes)
Lead time5-7 weeks ahead

USDOT-registered.

Common Questions