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Moving from Washington to District of Columbia

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

DC
Moving to

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

District of Columbia has an overall price level 109.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Washington
107.0
District of Columbia
109.9
District of Columbia has 2.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
District of Columbia
155.0
District of Columbia has 23% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
District of Columbia
102.5
District of Columbia has 0.7% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
District of Columbia
101.5
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia has 74% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
District of Columbia
102.0
District of Columbia has 0.6% higher transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
District of Columbia
$733,400
District of Columbia is 22% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
District of Columbia is 17% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Washington
79°F
District of Columbia
88°F
District of Columbia is 11% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
District of Columbia
28°F
District of Columbia is 20% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
District of Columbia
57°F
District of Columbia is 15% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
District of Columbia
197
District of Columbia has 30% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
District of Columbia
45 in
District of Columbia is 12% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
District of Columbia
47
District of Columbia has 21% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
District of Columbia
11 in
District of Columbia is 62% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonDistrict of Columbia report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in District of Columbia than Washington?

District of Columbia's overall price level is roughly 117.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Washington tops out at 0% income tax. District of Columbia tops out at 10.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in District of Columbia?

Most District of Columbia residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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