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Cost of living in Washington, District of Columbia

District of Columbia, DC

Part of the Washington Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$5,029/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 672,079 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,056 41%
Federal tax $1,284 26%
Healthcare $480 10%
State tax $430 9%
Groceries $410 8%
Energy $164 3%
Transport $150 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Washington

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,012
per month
1 bedroom
$2,056
per month
2 bedroom
$2,314
per month
3 bedroom
$2,893
per month
4 bedroom
$3,413
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Washington

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$106,287
per year
Individual earnings
$79,471
per year
Per capita
$75,253
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Washington

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$724,600
Annual property tax
$4,180

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Washington

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$108
per month · 15.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$56
per month
Annual total
$1,968
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Washington

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Washington

State and local tax rates for District of Columbia.

State income tax
10.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Washington

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.3 min
Drive alone
28.2%
Public transit
22.3%
Work from home
29.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Washington

What it costs to live in Washington each month.

Single person
$5,029
per month
  • Rent $2,056
  • Energy $164
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $410
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $1,284
  • State tax $430
Couple
$6,349
per month
  • Rent $2,314
  • Energy $197
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $679
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,410
  • State tax $620
Family
$9,105
per month
  • Rent $2,893
  • Energy $246
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,031
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,410
  • State tax $620

Frequently asked questions about Washington

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Washington?

In Washington, District of Columbia, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,056 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,314 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,893 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Washington?

In Washington, District of Columbia, the average household income is $106,287 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $79,471 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Washington?

The estimated cost of living in Washington, District of Columbia is approximately $5,029 per month for a single person, $6,349 for a couple, $9,105 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Washington?

The combined sales tax rate in Washington, District of Columbia is 6.00%, which includes the District of Columbia state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Washington an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Washington, District of Columbia would need approximately $5,029 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $106,287 per year ($8,857 per month). Washington has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Washington?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Washington, District of Columbia is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Washington?

The average home value in Washington, District of Columbia is $724,600, with average annual property taxes of $4,180, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Washington compare to other areas?

You can compare Washington, District of Columbia with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Washington is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area.

Other counties in District of Columbia

Browse the full list of counties in District of Columbia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in District of Columbia

Compare Washington with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources