Cost of living in Washington, DC

Everyday prices in Washington, DC run 8.9% above the US average. The typical home lists for $572,150, about $3,144 a month on a mortgage. A 2-bedroom rents for $2,226 a month.

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.

9% pricierEveryday prices¹Than the US average
$572,150Typical home^2,3$3,144/mo mortgage
$2,2262-bedroom rent⁴A month, utilities in
34 minAverage commute⁷Each way

Rent in Washington, DC

Median rent by size, utilities included, next to the US. Full rent breakdown⁴

Studio$1,814/mo
Washington, DC
$1,814
US
$1,365
Income to keep it at 30%: $72,560⁵
1 bedroom$1,970/mo
Washington, DC
$1,970
US
$1,362
Income to keep it at 30%: $78,800⁵
2 bedrooms$2,226/mo
Washington, DC
$2,226
US
$1,563
Income to keep it at 30%: $89,040⁵
3 bedrooms$2,562/mo
Washington, DC
$2,562
US
$1,760
Income to keep it at 30%: $102,480⁵
4 bedrooms$3,042/mo
Washington, DC
$3,042
US
$2,153
Income to keep it at 30%: $121,680⁵

What it takes to live in Washington, DC

Matches $100,000 at US prices¹$108,884
Typical household income⁶$131,346US: $84,780
Housing costs¹51% pricierThan the US average
District of Columbia income tax⁸Up to 10.75%Compare states

Compare Washington, DC with any other city

Places that cost less than Washington, DC

The same typical home costs less each month in 52 of the cities we cover. The biggest and smallest gaps:^2,3

Every city that costs less than Washington, DC

Washington, DC cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Washington, DC?

Everyday prices in Washington, DC run 8.9% above the US average. The typical home lists for $572,150, about $3,144 a month on a mortgage. A 2-bedroom rents for $2,226 a month.

How much is rent in Washington, DC?

The median rent, utilities included, is $1,970 a month for a 1-bedroom and $2,226 for a 2-bedroom (Census ACS, 2025). Keeping a 2-bedroom at 30% of income takes about $89,040 a year.

What salary in Washington, DC matches $100,000 elsewhere in the US?

About $108,884 buys what $100,000 buys at US-average prices, using BEA regional price parities for 2024.

What is the typical household income in Washington, DC?

$131,346 a year, against $84,780 for the US (Census ACS, 2025).

Where can I live for less than Washington, DC?

Of the cities we cover, Muncie, IN ($2,147 a month less on the typical home), Terre Haute, IN ($2,102 a month less on the typical home), Paducah, KY ($1,801 a month less on the typical home).

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Notes on the numbers

1Everyday prices and housing costs: BEA regional price parities, 2024, where the US average is 100.
2Typical home: the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
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. Rate source
4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table B25031, median gross rent by number of bedrooms (rent plus utilities the renter pays), 2025. $3,500+ is the highest figure the Census publishes. Census table
5Income to keep rent at 30%: a year of rent divided by 0.3, the common rule of thumb. Our arithmetic.
6Household income: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table B19013, median household income, 2025. Census table
7Commute: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table S0801, mean travel time to work (one way, workers who do not work from home), 2025. Census table
8Income tax: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (Feb 17, 2026), 2026. Top rate for married couples filing jointly. Tax source

Sources for this page