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Cost of living in District of Columbia

Everyday prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the US average, the 49th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

District of Columbia next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
District of ColumbiaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is District of Columbia?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$107,600
Typical household incomeA year · 6th highest of 51
28%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($2,541/mo) against median income ($107,600). 50th lowest of 51.

Are people moving to District of Columbia?

4,128 more people left District of Columbia for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in District of Columbia

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Washington-Arlington-Alexandria9% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,226
    Typical home
    $572,150
    Mortgage
    $3,144/mo

District of Columbia next to its neighbors

The states that border District of Columbia, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 36Virginia1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,673
    Typical home
    $455,953
    Net moves
    +6,268
  2. 44Maryland5% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,834
    Typical home
    $425,000
    Net moves
    -12,127
  3. 49District of ColumbiaThis state10% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,541
    Typical home
    No data
    Net moves
    -4,128

District of Columbia by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

District of Columbia next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
District of Columbia109.9155.0No dataNo data$2,541
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in District of Columbia

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria108.9$2,226$572,150

District of Columbia next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
District of Columbia109.9$2,541No data-4,128
Maryland105.0$1,834$425,000-12,127
Virginia101.1$1,673$455,953+6,268

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-658
2020-21-6,258
2021-22-5,029
2022-23-2,706
2023-24-386
2024-25-4,128

States with a similar cost of living to District of Columbia

Keep comparing

District of Columbia cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in District of Columbia?

Everyday prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the US average, the 49th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 155.0 against a US average of 100. The median 2-bedroom rent is $2,541 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $146,453 in District of Columbia.

Is District of Columbia cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. District of Columbia's regional price parity is 109.9, 9.9% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much is rent in District of Columbia?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in District of Columbia is $2,541 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in District of Columbia equals $150,000 in New York?

About $146,453, using BEA regional price parities for District of Columbia (109.9) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to District of Columbia?

4,128 more people left District of Columbia for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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