Cost of Living in District of Columbia (DC)
Compare costs across 1 District of Columbia cities. From home services to salaries, see how DC stacks up against the national average.
1
Cities
152
Avg Cost Index
$91K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
District of Columbia's average cost index is 152, which is above the national baseline of 100. Washington is the most affordable tracked city in DC at index 152, while Washington is the most expensive at index 152.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 0 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
District of Columbia Highlights: Most affordable city: Washington (index 152). Most expensive: Washington (index 152). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 0 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
152/100
District of Columbia is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Washington
Washington has a cost index of 152.
Most expensive
Washington
Washington has a cost index of 152.
Income average
$91K
Average median household income across 1 tracked DC cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in District of Columbia
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 690K | 152 | $91K | major |
District of Columbia State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in District of Columbia.
State Income Tax
4-10.75%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6%
6% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.55%
~$1,650/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: District of Columbia uses a progressive income tax at 4-10.75%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Washington if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside District of Columbia.
- Compare Washington against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.