Is Washington expensive to live in?

Washington is among the most expensive of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,885 per month ranks #3 of 50 and is 54% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Washington?

Average rent in Washington, DC runs a studio around $1,763, a one-bedroom around $1,885, a two-bedroom around $1,949, a three-bedroom around $2,249 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Washington?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,885 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $75,000 a year. The median household income here is $106,287.

How much does it cost to live in Washington per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Washington is about $2,130 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

People enjoying a kite festival with city skyline — Washington, DC

Cost of Living in Washington, DC

Population 671,803 · District of Columbia

~$2,130/mo est.1BR $1,885Home $724,600

Photo: Connor Gan / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Washington, DC is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,885 a month — 54% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,763 and two-bedrooms $1,949.

Median household income here is $106,287, 40% higher than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $2,130 before food and transport. District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,885

Studio

$1,763

1 Bedroom

$1,885

2 Bedroom

$1,949

3 Bedroom

$2,249

Buying a Home$724,600

Median Home Value

$724,600

Income$106,287

Median Household Income

$106,287

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities25.0¢/kWh

Electricity

25.0¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$18.01/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.30/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$4.30/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.00

Base Fare (WMATA (Metrobus))

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (DC)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 10.75%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime936 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

936

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,627.1

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Washington Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.9 yrs

Median Age

34.9 yrs

Homeownership

41.1%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

63.6%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Climate58.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

58.2°F

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

Washington cost of living — FAQ

Is Washington expensive to live in?: Washington is among the most expensive of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,885 per month ranks #3 of 50 and is 54% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Washington?: Average rent in Washington, DC runs a studio around $1,763, a one-bedroom around $1,885, a two-bedroom around $1,949, a three-bedroom around $2,249 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Washington?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,885 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $75,000 a year. The median household income here is $106,287.
How much does it cost to live in Washington per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Washington is about $2,130 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Washington with nearby cities

Washington vs Baltimore Washington vs Philadelphia Washington vs Virginia Beach Washington vs New York City Washington vs Raleigh Washington vs Columbus

Nearby cities

Baltimore, MD 35 mi Philadelphia, PA 123 mi Virginia Beach, VA 153 mi New York City, NY 204 mi Raleigh, NC 233 mi Columbus, OH 326 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.