Washington, D.C., cost of living
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Dreaming of living in the nation's capital? Washington, D.C., offers a vibrant urban lifestyle, rich history and diverse cultural scene.
However, the allure of Washington could come with a hefty price tag. Before you make the move, it's essential to grasp the financial realities of living in this bustling metropolis. To help out, we’ve gathered details on the cost of housing, food, transportation, health care and utilities.
The median rent in Washington is $2,466.92, versus the national median rent of $1,529.01.
Jump to insightResidents in Washington spend $228.50 weekly on food at home and $145.38 on food out.
Jump to insightAs of publishing, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $3.67 in Washington.
Jump to insightRecent data shows that employees in Washington pay $1,833 annually for employee-sponsored health insurance coverage.
Jump to insightHousing costs in Washington, D.C.
According to recent data from Zillow, the median rent in Washington is $2,466.92, while the national median rent is $1,529.01.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows rent prices in Washington broken down by home size. As of publishing, one-bedroom apartments in Washington had a median cost of $1,770 per month, and the two-bedroom median cost was $1,979 per month. Three- and four-bedroom homes had median costs of $2,622 and $2,365, respectively.
As of publishing, the median home price in Washington is $805,000, according to Redfin. The U.S. median home price is $436,000.
Washington, D.C. is only about 61 square miles and borders the states of Maryland and Virginia. Nearby cities in Virginia include Arlington and Alexandria, which may have lower median home prices. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in the Washington metro area, which includes Arlington and Alexandria, was $600,200 in the first quarter of 2024.
Washington ranks No. 41 for highest effective property tax rates in the nation, according to the most recent Tax Foundation data, at 0.62%.
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Food costs in Washington, D.C.
According to recent census data, the average spent weekly on food to prepare at home in Washington is $228.50, compared with the U.S. average of $270.21 at the time. Washington residents spend an average of $145.38 weekly on food prepared outside the home, compared with the U.S. average of $109.21.
Transportation costs in Washington, D.C.
According to recent data from AAA, the average price per gallon of regular gas in Washington is $3.67, compared with the U.S. average of $3.46.
The most recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners data shows that the average auto insurance premium (liability, collision and comprehensive coverage combined) in Washington is $1,559.42, versus the national average of $1,189.50.
Public transportation costs
Washington came in at No. 9 in our 2024 ranking of cities with the best public transit, with an average fare of $1.29 in 2022. As of publishing, public transportation throughout Washington includes buses and rail. Metrobus operates 1,500 buses, and Metrorail has six color-coded lines and 98 stations.
Health care costs in Washington, D.C.
The most recent KFF data shows that, on average, employer-sponsored health insurance cost Washington employees $1,833 annually, with employers covering the remaining $6,404 of the $8,237 total cost.
Nationwide, the average employee contribution was $1,637 out of a total premium of $7,590.
Utility costs in Washington, D.C.
According to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration, the average monthly electric bill in Washington is $176.10, versus $135.25 countrywide.
Recent EIA data also shows that natural gas in Washington costs $15.24 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $13.25 nationally.
FAQ
How does the cost of living in Washington, D.C., compare with the national average?
As of 2024, high housing prices (for both buying and renting) make for a comparatively high cost of living in Washington.
What do I need to make to live comfortably in Washington, D.C.?
A 2024 ConsumerAffairs study on income needed to live in America’s largest cities found that a single adult would need a salary of $96,982.84 or an hourly wage of $46.63 to live comfortably in Washington.
What other living expenses should I consider when moving to Washington, D.C.?
If you own a car, one cost factor to consider in Washington, as with any big city, is parking. You could spend $30 per day or more on parking, especially if you rely on private parking garages.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Zillow, “Housing Data.” Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Redfin, "Redfin Data Center." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Tax Foundation, "Where Do People Pay the Most in Property Taxes?" Accessed May 14, 2024.
- United States Census Bureau, "Week 63 Household Pulse Survey: October 18 - October 30." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- AAA Gas Prices, "State Gas Price Averages." Accessed June 14, 2024.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, "2020/2021 Auto Insurance Database Report." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- KFF, "Average Annual Single Premium per Enrolled Employee For Employer-Based Health Insurance." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, "2022 Average Monthly Bill- Residential." Accessed May 14, 2024.
