Cost of Living

Washington, United States

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

CheapestNew York = 100
77/ 10023% cheaper than New York
$4,850/mo
Median Income
35/100
Safety
7%
Income Tax
humid subtropical
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Housing
85/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,400/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$1,850/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,700/month
Food & Groceries
65/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.1/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$3.2/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.5/kg
Transportation
60/100
Monthly Transit Pass$118/month
One-Way Ticket$3/trip
Taxi (1 km)$2.2/km
Utilities
55/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$200/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$75/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$65/month
Healthcare
75/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$150/visit
Dentist Visit$200/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$40/course
Education
70/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,200/month
International Primary School (yearly)$20,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$600/course
Entertainment
60/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$16/ticket
Theater Ticket$65/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
65/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$85/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$55/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$120/pair
Personal Care
60/100
Haircut (Men)$38/cut
Haircut (Women)$75/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$7.5/bottle
Dining Out
65/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$18/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$85/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$12/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,500/month
Babysitter (per hour)$22/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$35/pack
Fitness & Sports
60/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$75/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$35/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

120 Mbps
Internet Speed
$350
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
77/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington cheap to live in?

Washington has a cost of living index of 77/100, where New York = 100. It is 23% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $2,760–$3,864 per month.

How much does rent cost in Washington?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Washington costs approximately $2,400/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $1,850/month.

Is Washington good for digital nomads?

Washington has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 120 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $350/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Washington?

The median net monthly salary in Washington is approximately $4,850 USD. The income tax rate is around 7%.

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

Washington (cost index 77) is 23% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $575/month by moving from New York to Washington.

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