Cost of Living in District of Columbia
Updated November 2026 · population 681,294
District of Columbia prices are 9.9% above the US average (index 109.9), ranking 3rd most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest cost driver at 155.0, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $3,646 a month.
Prices by category
District of Columbia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.9, Housing (rents) 155.0, Goods 106.5, Utilities 112.8, Other services 103.0
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia (whole state) | 109.9 |
| Metropolitan areas of District of Columbia | 109.9 |
| District of Columbia has no nonmetropolitan area in the BEA data. | |
Cities in District of Columbia
Select a column heading to sort.
| Washington | 681,294 | 109.4 | $3,627 | $6,532 | $1,954 | $737,100 |
Metro areas in District of Columbia
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 108.9 | 151.1 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of District of Columbia.
Modelled monthly budget at District of Columbia average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for District of Columbia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,844 | $22,128 | 51% |
| Utilities | $285 | $3,420 | 8% |
| Food at home | $300 | $3,600 | 8% |
| Transportation | $679 | $8,148 | 19% |
| Health care | $362 | $4,344 | 10% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $176 | $2,112 | 5% |
| Total | $3,646 | $43,752 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for District of Columbia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,975 | $23,700 | 37% |
| Utilities | $455 | $5,460 | 9% |
| Food at home | $555 | $6,660 | 10% |
| Transportation | $1,346 | $16,152 | 25% |
| Health care | $671 | $8,052 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $348 | $4,176 | 7% |
| Total | $5,350 | $64,200 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for District of Columbia (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $28,488 | 36% |
| Utilities | $554 | $6,648 | 8% |
| Food at home | $791 | $9,492 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,787 | $21,444 | 27% |
| Health care | $625 | $7,500 | 9% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $449 | $5,388 | 7% |
| Total | $6,580 | $78,960 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
25.98¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +12.1% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)
$4.23/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +38.3% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 109.2 | 110.9 | 111.6 | 112.6 | 110.7 | 109.9 |
Change over the period: +0.7 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is District of Columbia an expensive state to live in?
District of Columbia has a cost of living index of 109.9 (US = 100), 9.9% above the US average. It ranks 3rd of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 155.0 (rank 1), goods 106.5, utilities 112.8 and other services 103.0. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in District of Columbia?
At District of Columbia state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $3,646 for a single adult, $5,350 for a couple and $6,580 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state.
What is the median rent and home value in District of Columbia?
The median gross rent in District of Columbia is $1,954 a month and the median home value is $737,100 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 28.6% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 11.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology