Washington vs New York: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Washington's median home value is $705,000 — 4% lower than New York's $732,100.
Median household income is $101,722 in Washington versus $76,607 in New York.
Typical rent runs $1,817 in Washington and $1,714 in New York.
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 670,587 | 8,622,467 |
| Median home value | $705,000 | $732,100 |
| Median household income | $101,722 | $76,607 |
| Median gross rent | $1,817 | $1,714 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Relatively High |
Housing costs are mixed: Washington, DC has the lower median home value while New York, NY has lower median rent. This reflects housing only, not total cost of living.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.