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Washington, DC Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Washington, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Washington →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Washington's population is about 670,587. On income, the typical household clears $101,722 a year, running above the median household income across the cities we cover (+41%).

Expect a median home value of $705,000 in Washington, which runs above what we see across other cities (+116%). Median rent lands at $1,817/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.

Buying a typical home in Washington would take about 6.9 years of median household income — a high multiple that points to real affordability pressure. Washington's home prices have stayed largely flat, rising just 0.4% from a year earlier. Natural-hazard exposure in Washington is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Washington

Median home value is $705,000 and median gross rent is $1,817/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for District of Columbia rose 0.4% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,246/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Washington's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Washington reported a violent crime rate of 749.7 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Washington

Planning a move to Washington? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Cost estimates for moving between Washington and nearby popular destinations:

• Moving from Washington to Atlanta
• Moving from Washington to New York
• Moving from Washington to Philadelphia
• Moving from Washington to Baltimore
• Moving from Washington to Charlotte
• Moving from Washington to Raleigh
• Moving from Washington to Austin
• Moving from Washington to Boston

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Washington, DC?

Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Washington — median home value of $705,000, median rent of $1,817/month — set against a median household income of $101,722 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Washington?

To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Washington, where median rent runs $1,817/month, you'd want to earn about $72,680 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Washington.

Is it better to rent or buy in Washington?

Buying at Washington's median home value of $705,000 takes about $161,300 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $72,680 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,817/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.

Is Washington safe?

FBI data puts Washington's violent crime rate at 749.7 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.

See the full salary breakdown for Washington →

Compare Washington to similar cities

• Atlanta vs Washington: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Washington vs New York: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Philadelphia vs Washington: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Baltimore vs Washington: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Washington vs Charlotte: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
• Washington vs Raleigh: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Washington's.