Cost of Living

Washington DC, United States

Live cost-of-living data for Washington DC — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
45/ 10055% cheaper than New York
+12% rent since Jul 2026
$5,200/mo
Median Income
62/100
Safety
7%
Income Tax
subtropical humid
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
75/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,577/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$2,077/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$4,200/month
Food & Groceries
68/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.2/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$4.47/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$7.14/kg
Transportation
65/100
Monthly Transit Pass$216/month
One-Way Ticket$2.5/trip
Taxi (1 km)$2.25/km
Utilities
68/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$215/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$75/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$60/month
Healthcare
65/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$120/visit
Dentist Visit$165/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$25/course
Education
68/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,200/month
International Primary School (yearly)$28,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$800/course
Entertainment
70/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$16.44/ticket
Theater Ticket$65/ticket
Museum Entry$15/ticket
Clothing
75/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$75/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$55/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$110/pair
Personal Care
70/100
Haircut (Men)$38/cut
Haircut (Women)$65/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$7/bottle
Dining Out
72/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$18/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$80/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$13/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,400/month
Babysitter (per hour)$20/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$28/pack
Fitness & Sports
65/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$65/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$30/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

150 Mbps
Internet Speed
$350
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
77/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Georgetown

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington DC cheap to live in?

Washington DC has a cost of living index of 45/100, where New York = 100. It is 55% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,600–$2,240 per month.

How much does rent cost in Washington DC?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Washington DC costs approximately $2,577/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $2,077/month.

Is Washington DC good for digital nomads?

Washington DC has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 150 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $350/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Washington DC?

The median net monthly salary in Washington DC is approximately $5,200 USD. The income tax rate is around 7%.

How does Washington DC compare to New York for cost of living?

Washington DC (cost index 45) is 55% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,375/month by moving from New York to Washington DC.

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