U.S. Territory
District of Columbia
D+87 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 152
10.75%
Income Tax
750
Violent Crime / 100K
77.1
Life Expectancy
$640K
Median Home
$2,350
Childcare / Mo
State Profile
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Taxes
▾
Income Tax
Top rate on income over $1M
Property Tax
~$3,584/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
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Price Level vs US (BEA)
Above US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs are common (Census ACS 2024)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
District-wide STR regulations/licensing in effect.
Crime & Safety
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Violent Crime Rate
Well above national avg
Property Crime Rate
Above national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Among the safest
Registered Sex Offenders
Below the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates — 16% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
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State Healthcare Rank
Top tier
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Well below national avg
Education
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College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
Bottom 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
Childcare
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Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Very expensive (national avg ~$1,200)
Utilities & Daily Costs
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Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Below national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Among the worst roads in the US
Transportation
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Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
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Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
Sports betting legal via GambetDC mobile app (DC Lottery). No commercial casinos. Lottery active.
Environment & Climate
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Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
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2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
Prohibited where alcohol served on premises; places of worship require permission.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
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Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1.5% job growth · 3% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Top tech job market nationally
Healthcare Jobs
Top healthcare job market
Remote Work
High remote work culture
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Below-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Daily Life
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Gas Price (Regular)
Well above avg (+0.35 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
All consumer fireworks banned — DC law prohibits possession and use of all fireworks
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
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Winter Severity
Avg January high: 37°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
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Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
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Veteran-Friendly Score
4.2% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption (up to $445K assessed value)
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
See your full cost of living in District of Columbia
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
DC vs MA
District of Columbia vs Massachusetts
COL 152 vs 148 · 10.75% vs 9% income tax
Full comparison →
DC vs CA
District of Columbia vs California
COL 152 vs 142 · 10.75% vs 13.3% income tax
Full comparison →
DC vs NY
District of Columbia vs New York
COL 152 vs 139 · 10.75% vs 10.9% income tax
Full comparison →
Trending in District of Columbia
D.C. Council orders study of new business tax as officials eye budget-gap fillers | Washington Business Journal - D.C. Policy Center
D.C. Policy Center · Jul 9
DC landlords ask Congress to review beleaguered rental housing market, court system - WJLA
WJLA · Aug 14
Attorney General Schwalb Secures $1 Million from Political Texting Firm for Failure to Pay DC Sales Tax - District of Columbia | Attorney General (.gov)
District of Columbia | Attorney General (.gov) · Jun 1
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act Is Proposed in D.C. - Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight · Apr 23
How many people live in subsidized housing in District of Columbia, DC? - USAFacts
USAFacts · Jun 18
What Residents Say
What other major expenses am I not considering when ...
I am currently looking to move to the area after visiting a few times and running through my budget. The state I currently live in, is sucking out my ......
reddit.com ↗
DC vs Chicago Cost of Living : r/SameGrassButGreener
The average home in Chicago is around 350k and 620k in DC. 500k gets you a home in a nice area of Chicago and a bad area of DC. So YMMV ......
reddit.com ↗
Cost of Living in DC : r/washingtondc
DC taxes income at 8.5% and up starting at $60k. This is insane. 49 comments ......
reddit.com ↗
If you could afford it, would you move to a different city than ...
I would personally love to move to DC: climate, public transportation, free and accessible recreation—if only it weren't for those darn high living expenses!...
reddit.com ↗
People who moved to DC from LCOL areas - how much did ...
Just curious what the price difference on everyday items/services are in LCOL areas compared to DC. Obviously there is a big difference when it comes to ......
reddit.com ↗
Is it possible to live in Washington, D.C. on $25000 a year?
I have been offered a fellowship in D.C. and the salary would be $25,000. I am already a poor post-grad with no rich parents to support me....
reddit.com ↗
r/washingtondc Wiki: Moving to DC Guide
Official Moving to DC Guide. WHERE TO LIVE. Considerations. Price. Distance/time to work. Distance/time to amenities/activities/nightlife....
reddit.com ↗
Need help understanding cost of living in the Washington ...
DC taxes income at 8.5% and up starting at $60k. This is insane. 49 comments ......
reddit.com ↗
What are differences in the cost of living for a single person ...
DC taxes income at 8.5% and up starting at $60k. This is insane. 49 comments ......
reddit.com ↗
Can you live in DC on 55000/year salary in 2021?
55k is about 3k after tax (if you file as a single person residing in DC), which can be anywhere from impossible for someone who wants to live ......
reddit.com ↗
District of Columbia will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when District of Columbia changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.