When it comes to living in the United States, living in Washington, D.C. makes the top of the list as one of the most expensive places to live. A single adult needs to earn at least $48,112 to cover living costs in Washington, D.C.
Life lived in the nation’s capital can be a lot of things—just don’t call it cheap! Courtesy of Jerry
, the trusted broker app
that helps you find savings on car
and home insurance
, here’s a look at living costs in Washington, D.C. Plus, we’ll show you how you can make living in the District of Columbia more affordable by revisiting your insurance costs. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
How high is the cost of living in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Second only to Hawaii
, the District of Columbia has a cost of living index (COLI) score of 158.8 from the Council for Community & Economic Research (C2ER)
. In third place, New York State
trails close behind with a score of 152.1. But what exactly does that number mean? Costs that would be considered at the national average would get a score of 100. Washington, D.C.’s score means the city is 58.8% more expensive than the national average.
But different aspects of living expenses that impact that score, like groceries, transportation, and healthcare costs, can fall both above and below national averages—so let’s take a closer look at what living costs look like in Washington, D.C.
Food: $279 to $1,000 per month
Out of all your living costs, this expense is arguably one of the most essential. In Washington, D.C., the cost of living index score for food expenses is an even 111.
MIT’s Living Wage Calculator
estimates that a single adult without kids could spend about $279 per month on groceries, while a two-adult household with three kids could spend closer to $1,000 per month. And this is just for grocery expenses—you’ll need to factor in additional costs for stops at your favorite coffee shop or a night out at your favorite restaurant.
Healthcare: $220 to $794 per month
Meanwhile, D.C.’s healthcare costs fall just under the national average with a score of 98.5.
Medical costs in D.C. could fall between $220 and $794 per month, based on the Living Wage Calculator’s estimates, but what that looks like can vary considerably depending on the size of your household and each person’s medical needs, so you’ll want to be mindful of this if you’re considering relocating here.
Housing: $1,637 to $2,449 per month
By far, the most expensive aspect of living in Washington, D.C. is housing, which earns an index score of a whopping 260.5. That makes housing in D.C. 160.5% more expensive than the national average.
As of August 2022, Washington, D.C.’s median home sale price was $650,000, according to realtor.com
. What exactly your housing costs will look like will largely depend on the type of home you’re living in, whether you’re buying or renting, and what part of the metro area you choose to call home. Here’s a look at the average costs:
Median monthly mortgage payment: $2,684
Average studio rent: $1,887
Average one-bedroom rent: $2,527
Average two-bedroom rent: $3,632
Average three-bedroom rent: $4,294
For comparison, the home value in the United States in July 2022 was $355,852, according to Zillow’s Home Value Index
. Nationwide, the average monthly mortgage payment was $1,487, according to the 2019 American Housing Survey, and the average rent payment was $1,096 per month. Transportation: $459 to $1,251 per month
Having a roof over your head is important—but you’re likely going to need to leave your home pretty frequently for work, play, and errands. In Washington, D.C., transportation costs are about 11% more expensive than the national average.
To get an idea of what District of Columbia transportation costs could look like for you, here are some figures worth knowing:
Average annual cost of car insurance in Washington, D.C.: $3,574
WMATA
monthly pass: $64-$192Average commute length
in Washington, D.C.: 32 miles Average cost of a gallon of gas, August 2022: $4.14
How much you need to live comfortably in Washington, D.C.: $48,110 to $149,053 per year
In total, the average single adult without kids would need to earn $23.13 per hour or $48,110 per year to live in Washington, D.C. A household of two adults and three kids would need to earn a total of $71.66 per hour, or $149,053 per year!
But that’s mostly for basic living expenses—and it’s still more than the minimum wage in Washington D.C. of $16.10 per hour. Depending on the type of lifestyle you’re looking for, you’ll likely need to factor in additional costs to live comfortably in Washington, D.C. Here are just a few examples of the costs of various activities in the city:
Average cost of a date: $125 (US average: $98)
Average cost of a night at the movies: $13.69 (US average: $10.61)
Average cost of a Big Mac: $8.19 (US average: $6.05)
Sales tax: 6%(US average: 6.57%)
The Washington, D.C. neighborhoods with the lowest cost of living
The hard truth is finding affordable housing in Washington, D.C. can be a real challenge. However, there are ways you can make it a little easier on your finances, like splitting rent among roommates or finding a neighborhood whose housing costs fall on the lower end of the spectrum.
The following are just a few popular District of Columbia neighborhoods that tend to have lower housing costs:
Foggy Bottom: A popular choice for young professionals, you’ll find this neighborhood in the heart of D.C., making it conveniently close to a variety of different shops, restaurants, and other entertainment options.
Greenway: This neighborhood is mostly residential, but it still isn’t too far to find nearby shopping or entertainment.
Anacostia: Living in historic Anacostia puts you in proximity to plenty of places of interest, including various parks and museums, and there’s also a variety of housing types, from old Victorian homes to modern apartment complexes.
You’ll generally find that the most affordable Washington, D.C. neighborhoods are primarily residential, but public transit can easily take you just about anywhere across the city you want to go. You can also explore the surrounding suburbs.
MORE: Homeowners insurance in Washington D.C.
How to easily find home and car insurance in Washington, D.C.
Living in Washington, D.C. is expensive enough as it is—so why pay any more than you need to on your insurance?
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