What it actually costs to live in District of Columbia.
District of Columbia’s cost-of-living index sits at 137 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #3 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in District of Columbia costs about 37% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $715,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $2,195/mo.
District of Columbia cost components
| Component | District of Columbia | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 137 | 100 |
| Median home price | $715,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $2,195/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $269/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How District of Columbia compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, District of Columbia ranks #3 for cost. That puts District of Columbia among the 10 most expensive — driven primarily by housing constraint and high-wage demand. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
District of Columbia metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Washington has very different housing dynamics than smaller District of Columbia metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More District of Columbia metros coming as we expand city coverage.
District of Columbia cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's MERIC cost-of-living index is 137 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in District of Columbia costs about 37% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's state-level median home price is approximately $715,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $2,195/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any District of Columbia-specific cost-of-living quirks?
DC home prices average ~$650k; condo HOA fees often $500–$1,500/month; DC has one of the highest renter populations among US jurisdictions (>55% renter-occupied).
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.