How expensive is Washington compared to the rest of United States?

Washington ranks #12 out of 577 cities globally. It is 36.2% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 67.4 and local purchasing power is 148.9.

What is the average rent in Washington?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Washington city centre costs approximately USD 2,717 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 2,229 (saving 18%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 5,286.

Is Washington affordable to live in?

Washington is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are very expensive, and local purchasing power is average.

🇺🇸 DC, United States · 2026

Costo della Vita a Washington

36.2% sopra la media di United States

Classificata #12 su 577 città · Più costosa del 97.9% delle città a livello mondiale

+36.2%

Costo della Vita

+63.2%

Affitto

+16.4%

Generi Alimentari

+3.3%

Potere d'Acquisto

Rispetto alla media di United States · Vedi classifica United States →

Prezzi degli Affitti a Washington

Appartamento	Centro Città	Fuori Centro	Risparmi
1 Camera	USD 2,717/mo	USD 2,229/mo	18%
3 Camere	USD 5,286/mo	USD 4,446/mo	16%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

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. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Washington has a cost of living index of 78.6 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

78.6

Index

Sources

4.7

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

80.7

Expatistan

76.0

LivingCost

79.2

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Indici di Costo

Costo della Vita

+36.2% Very expensive

Affitto

+63.2% Very expensive

Generi Alimentari

+16.4% Expensive

Ristoranti

+20.8% Very expensive

Potere d'Acquisto

+3.3% Average

Vivere a Washington: Cosa Aspettarsi

Washington è very expensive secondo gli standard globali (classificata #12 su 577 città). È 36.2% più costoso rispetto alla media di United States, basato su 82 città.

La spesa alimentare è expensive, mentre mangiare fuori è very expensive. Groceries offre il miglior rapporto qualità-prezzo, mentre Rent è il più costoso.

Il potere d'acquisto locale è forte: i residenti possono permettersi più beni e servizi rispetto alla maggior parte delle città.