What is the average rent in Washington?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Washington city centre costs approximately USD 2,659 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 2,099 (saving 21%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 5,335.

Is Washington affordable to live in?

Washington is expensive overall. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is average.

🇺🇸 DC, United States · #17 of 558 cities · 2026

Cost of Living in Washington

19.8% above the United States average

Ranked #17 of 558 cities · More expensive than 97% of cities worldwide

+19.8%

Cost of Living

See United States ranking →

+27.3%

Rent

See United States ranking →

+15.0%

Groceries

See United States ranking →

+6.6%

Purchasing Power

See United States ranking →

Compared to United States average

Rent Prices

Rent Prices in Washington

Apartment	City Centre	Outside Centre	You Save
1-Bedroom	USD 2,659/mo	USD 2,099/mo	21%
3-Bedroom	USD 5,335/mo	USD 4,351/mo	21%

Numbeo · 2026-03-12

Prices

Prices of Goods & Services in Washington

🛒

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$6.65	1 source
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$3.28	1 source
Bread (500g)	$4.22	1 source
Local cheese (1kg)	$15.46	1 source
Chicken (1kg)	$17.63	1 source
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$13.94	1 source
Eggs (12)	$4.77	1 source
Milk (1L)	$1.13	1 source
Potatoes (1kg)	$2.85	1 source
Tomatoes (1kg)	$5.63	1 source
Water (1.5L)	$2.43	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$16.00	1 source

Apples (1kg)

$6.65

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$3.28

Bread (500g)

$4.22

Local cheese (1kg)

$15.46

Chicken (1kg)

$17.63

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$13.94

Eggs (12)

$4.77

Milk (1L)

$1.13

Potatoes (1kg)

$2.85

Tomatoes (1kg)

$5.63

Water (1.5L)

$2.43

Wine (mid-range)

$16.00

🍽️

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$8.00	1 source
Cappuccino	$6.02	1 source
McMeal	$12.00	1 source
Cheap meal	$23.50	1 source
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$115.00	1 source

Draft beer (0.5L)

$8.00

Cappuccino

$6.02

McMeal

$12.00

Cheap meal

$23.50

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$115.00

👗

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$144.05	1 source
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$71.55	1 source
Sport shoes (Nike)	$101.85	1 source
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$44.78	1 source

Business shoes (leather)

$144.05

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$71.55

Sport shoes (Nike)

$101.85

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$44.78

🏋️

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$17.00	1 source
Gym membership	$119.69	1 source

Cinema ticket

$17.00

Gym membership

$119.69

🚌

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$0.87	1 source
Taxi start	$4.00	1 source
Monthly pass	$117.50	1 source

Gasoline (1L)

$0.87

Taxi start

$4.00

Monthly pass

$117.50

⚡

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$203.35	1 source

Basic utilities (85m²)

$203.35

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. August 2026.

Cost Indices

Cost of Living

+19.8% Expensive

Rent

+27.3% Very expensive

Groceries

+15.0% Expensive

Restaurants

+20.0% Expensive

Purchasing Power

+6.6% Average

Living in Washington: What to Expect

Washington is expensive by global standards (ranked #17 of 558 cities). It is 19.8% more expensive than the United States average, based on 80 cities.

Groceries are expensive, while dining out is expensive. Groceries offers the best value, while Rent is the priciest.

Local purchasing power is limited — residents can afford fewer goods and services than in most cities.

Cost of Living in Washington

Rent Prices in Washington

Prices of Goods & Services in Washington

Groceries

Restaurants

Clothing & Shoes

Leisure

Transportation

Utilities

Cost Indices

Living in Washington: What to Expect

How Does Washington Compare?

Planning a Move to Washington?