✦ Cost of living
Washington
Washington, District of Columbia
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $1,945/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: Washington is about 8% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,300/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing144+44%
- Food & groceries91−9%
- Transport95−5%
- Utilities86−14%
- Healthcare87−13%
- Goods & services97−3%
Is Washington expensive?
Yes, moderately. Washington indexes at 108 against a US average of 100 — roughly 8% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Washington ranks #27 by overall cost — 60 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Washington costs
One person
$3,540/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,860/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,790/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,800 | $2,300 | $4,500 |
| Food & groceries | $420 | $610 | $1,020 |
| Transport | $570 | $840 | $1,410 |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | $430 |
| Healthcare | $240 | $360 | $600 |
| Goods & services | $340 | $490 | $830 |
| Total per month | $3,540 | $4,860 | $8,790 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Washington
The US capital — stable government and consulting jobs, a strong transit system and grand monuments.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-5
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 50/100
- Climate
- ❄ 2°C · ☀ 27°C · 203 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Dupont Circle · Georgetown · Shaw
About
“The District”
The US capital — stable government and consulting jobs, a strong transit system and grand monuments.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 38.90, -77.04
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
67/100
Safety
50/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+2 °C
Jul avg
+27 °C
Sunny days
203/yr
Walkability
77/100
Public transit
72/100
Family-friendly
62/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 80
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $470/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Washington without a car?
75/100
Car-free score
77/100
Walkability
72/100
Public transport
Yes — Washington scores 75/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Washington indexes at 95 against a US average of 100 — about 5% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Washington ranks #47 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Washington — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$2,300
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,800
- Inexpensive meal$20
- Monthly transit pass$100
- Utilities (monthly)$170
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
✈ Search cheap flights
Sponsored
? Frequently asked questions
Is Washington, DC expensive to live in?
Washington, DC's cost-of-living index is 108 (US average = 100) — about 8% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #27 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,540 a month and a family of four around $8,790, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC's cost-of-living index is 108 (US average = 100) — about 8% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $2,300 per month.
What are the average living costs in Washington, DC?
Living costs in Washington, DC are about 8% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 108 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,300. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Washington, DC?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $2,300 per month, and around $1,800 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC averages around +2 °C in January and +27 °C in July, with roughly 203 sunny days a year.
Is Washington, DC safe?
Washington, DC scores 50 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Washington, DC without a car?
Washington, DC scores 75/100 on our car-free score — 77/100 for walkability and 72/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Washington with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.