By Jamie Cattanach
(Last Updated – 02/2025)
Ah, the nation’s capital. Known for its unparalleled cultural attractions — many of which are free — along with its professional-yet-swank mid-Atlantic attitude, D.C. is a popular place to live. In fact, according to 2023 U.S. Census data, 678,972 people live there, which is a pretty big number for a relatively minute 68.34-square-mile area.
But if you’re considering moving to the District, you should be aware: It’s definitely not a cheap place to live, free museums or no.
Here’s the data about the cost of living in Washington, D.C., so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.
What’s the Average Cost of Living in Washington, D.C.?
Average Cost of Living in Washington, D.C.: $92,037 per year
It’s not surprising that Washington is such an attractive place to live. It almost goes without saying.
According to data from the Missouri Economic and Research Center (MERIC), Washington, D.C., is low on the affordability scale. As of 2024, it ranks 49th on the list with a cost of living index score of 141.9. Only Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California are more expensive.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates the average annual personal consumption expenditure in the District of Columbia at $92,037 in 2023. Here’s how that breaks down:
|
Category
|
Average Annual Per-Capita Cost in Washington, D.C.
|
|
Housing and Utilities
|
$16,481
|
|
Health Care
|
$13,239
|
|
Food and Beverages (nonrestaurant)
|
$7,500
|
|
Natural Gas and Energy Goods
|
$1,532
|
|
All Other Personal Expenditures
|
$53,285
|
Housing Costs in Washington, D.C.
Average Housing Costs in Washington, D.C.: $1,643 to $3,137 per month
Housing is often the highest single cost in people’s monthly budgets, and you definitely want to prepare for that expense if you’re going to live in Washington, D.C. Per January 2025 data from Zillow, the typical home price in the D.C. metro area is $594,337, which is significantly higher than the median single-family existing-home sale price of $355,328 in January 2025, the National Association of Realtors® reported.
Even for renters, the costs are pretty intense. Here’s how the cost of housing breaks down on a monthly basis:
• Median monthly mortgage cost: $3,062
• Median studio rent: $1,643
• Median one-bedroom rent: $1,935
• Median two-bedroom rent: $1,966
• Median three-bedroom rent: $2,630
• Median four-bedroom rent: $2,884
• Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $3,137
• Median gross rent: $1,904
Utility Costs in Washington, D.C.
Average Utility Costs in Washington, D.C.: $438 per month
The cost of housing is sky-high in Washington, D.C., and once you get that roof over your head, electricity, water, gas, and cable are also on the higher end.
Here’s how the average monthly utility bill breaks down.
|
Utility
|
Average Washington, D.C. Bill
|
|
Electricity
|
$104
|
|
Gas
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$105
|
|
Cable & Internet
|
$85
|
|
Water
|
$41
|
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price, 2022; Rentcafe.com, “What Are Apartment Utilities & How Much Will They Cost Me?” June 2024
Groceries & Food
Average Grocery & Food Costs in Washington, D.C.: $625 per person, per month
If the average yearly estimated nonrestaurant food and beverage expenditure in the District of Columbia is $7,500 per person, divide that by 12 to end up at $625 per person, per month.
By that metric, you might expect to spend about $2,500 per month to feed a family of four, but keep in mind that this estimate doesn’t factor in the fact that most children tend to eat less than adults.
That’s a fairly costly food bill. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s 2024 Cost of Living Index, the Washington, D.C., area scores 105.9 on grocery items. For comparison, Baltimore sits at 102.8, and nearby Bethesda, Maryland scores 111.5.
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Transportation
Average Transportation Costs in Washington, D.C.: $6,106 to $11,362 per year
Once you’ve got your home all set up, you still have to get around — work, school, and other activities beckon. Although Washington, D.C., does have public transit options, fares can run up to $6 per ride during peak times, and many Washingtonians opt to keep (and pay to park) a personal vehicle.
You might expect to spend approximately the following amounts on transportation around Washington, D.C., according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, last updated February 2025.
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Family Makeup
|
Average Annual Transportation Cost
|
|
One adult, no children
|
$6,106
|
|
Two working adults, no children
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$7,066
|
|
Two working adults, three children
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$11,362
|
Health Care
Average Health Care Costs in Washington, D.C.: $13,239 per year
Average annual health care costs in Washington, D.C., are fairly high at about $13,239, according to the 2023 Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
Of course, specific health care costs vary significantly depending on all sorts of things: your health insurance coverage, how often you need to seek medical attention, your family makeup, and more.
Besides, if you’re living in D.C., there’s a pretty good chance you’re working for the government, so hopefully you have good health care benefits.
Child Care
Average Child Care Costs in the District: $1,372 to $2,043 or more per child, per month
Raising kids might be some of the most fulfilling work we can do — but it’s also pretty expensive, especially in an already costly metro area like Washington, D.C.
While your exact child care costs will depend on how many children you have, what kind of care you’re after, and more, costofchildcare.org offers per-month, per-child care cost averages. (If you visit the website, you can even play with the toggles to see what certain extras, like bigger classrooms or better pay for caretakers, might add.)
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Type of Child Care
|
Average Cost Per Month, Per Child
|
|
Infant Classroom
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$2,043
|
|
Toddler Classroom
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$2,043
|
|
Preschooler Classroom
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$1,372
|
|
Home-Based Family Child Care
|
$1,404
|
Taxes
Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Washington, D.C.: 10.75%
Washington, D.C., like most U.S. states, levies a District-specific income tax in addition to the federal income taxes American earners pay. Like many states, D.C.’s income tax is charged at a graduated rate: The more you earn, the more you owe.
Per the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2025, the highest marginal tax rate in Washington, D.C., is 10.75%, which is pretty darn high, nationally speaking. Neighboring Maryland and Virginia both cap out at 5.75%. Still, it’s a far cry from California’s sky-high 13.30%
Miscellaneous Costs
We’ve covered all the basic necessities, but still, the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the average District denizen spends about $52,285 on “other personal expenditures.”
While D.C. is well known for its plethora of free must-sees — the majority of the Smithsonian Institution properties, including the National Zoo, and self-guided tours of many major government buildings, such as the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol, are all free of charge. Here are some ways that money might be getting spent in the city (costs accurate as of February 2025).
• Tickets to a performance at the historic Ford’s Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was shot: $36 to $72 or more, depending on the program and where tickets are acquired.
• One year of undergraduate tuition at Georgetown University: $67,824
Lots of residents probably also spend a decent amount of money on the clothes, accessories, and gadgets expected of hip mid-Atlantic citizens, but again, if you’re looking for free entertainment and educational activities, the District of Columbia is pretty hard to beat.
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