Cost of living in District of Columbia

compared to
#1
State Cost of Living Rank
Index: 115 (California = 100)
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Cost of living in District of Columbia vs. United States overall average

District of Columbia is 35.0% more expensive than United States overall.

Restaurants
pay 23.9% more in District of Columbia
Groceries
pay 23.2% more in District of Columbia
Transportation
pay 19.0% more in District of Columbia
Housing
pay 47.0% more in District of Columbia
Childcare
pay 94.5% more in District of Columbia
Entertainment and Sports
pay 50.2% more in District of Columbia
Clothing
pay 16.0% more in District of Columbia

The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, housing, restaurants, groceries, and transportation in District of Columbia are more expensive than in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in District of Columbia.

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District of Columbia Cost of Living Breakdown
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Restaurants

  • Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $28.00
  • Fast food combo meal $12.00
  • Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $3.17
  • Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) $2.64

Groceries

  • Bread $4.11
  • Local cheese (8 oz) $8.53
  • Milk (1 gallon) $4.95
  • Eggs $5.64
  • Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) $7.63
  • Apples (1 lb) $3.17
  • Bananas (1 lb) $1.06
  • Oranges (1 lb) $2.27
  • Tomatoes (1 lb) $2.64
  • Potatoes (1 lb) $1.29
  • Onions (1 lb) $1.73

Transportation

  • Gasoline (1 gallon) $4.19
  • Monthly public transit pass $120.00
  • New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $36,375.00
  • Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) $16.73

Housing

  • Internet connection $77.77
  • 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $2,717.33
  • 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $2,228.89
  • Utilities for two (700 sq ft apartment) $161.22

Childcare

  • Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $3,221.33
  • Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $41,506.00

Entertainment and Sports

  • Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $9.00
  • Cappuccino in mid-range area $6.15
  • Pack of cigarettes $13.94
  • Monthly membership at local gym $114.30
  • Movie ticket to theater/cinema $18.00

Clothing

  • Regular jeans $71.42
  • Regular dress $44.11
  • Running shoes $104.50
  • Men's business shoes (leather) $125.16

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