Cost of living in District of Columbia
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in District of Columbia are 9.9% above the national average, the 3rd most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Housing is the main reason prices in District of Columbia differ from the national level: housing costs (rents) are 55.0% above the US average, while goods are 6.5% above average and other services 3.0% above average.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $81,872 in 2017 dollars, 1st of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Washington, DC is the only metro area BEA measures in District of Columbia; its index is 108.9.
- Relative to the US, the price level in District of Columbia has barely moved: 112.4 in 2008, 109.2 in 2019 and 109.9 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In District of Columbia, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 55.0% above
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| All items | 109.9 |
| Goods | 106.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 155.0 |
| Utilities | 112.8 |
| Other services | 103.0 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.31 a gallon in the Central Atlantic region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.03 more than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for District of Columbia, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in District of Columbia
BEA measures one metro area in District of Columbia: Washington, DC, with an overall price level of 108.9 (US = 100). Rural areas are not listed separately.
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 108.9 | 151.1 | 104.8 | 106.7 | 102.3 | $2,407 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
District of Columbia has become less expensive relative to the US since 2008: 112.4 then, 109.9 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.4 |
| 2009 | 113.0 |
| 2010 | 114.2 |
| 2011 | 114.1 |
| 2012 | 111.6 |
| 2013 | 113.5 |
| 2014 | 114.2 |
| 2015 | 113.3 |
| 2016 | 112.4 |
| 2017 | 110.1 |
| 2018 | 111.3 |
| 2019 | 109.2 |
| 2020 | 110.9 |
| 2021 | 111.6 |
| 2022 | 112.6 |
| 2023 | 110.7 |
| 2024 | 109.9 |
Goods: 112.2 in 2008, 106.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.2 |
| 2009 | 112.8 |
| 2010 | 109.4 |
| 2011 | 107.8 |
| 2012 | 105.7 |
| 2013 | 110.8 |
| 2014 | 105.5 |
| 2015 | 105.7 |
| 2016 | 106.4 |
| 2017 | 104.5 |
| 2018 | 107.0 |
| 2019 | 104.7 |
| 2020 | 105.5 |
| 2021 | 107.8 |
| 2022 | 107.3 |
| 2023 | 106.5 |
| 2024 | 106.5 |
Housing (rents): 156.8 in 2008, 155.0 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 156.8 |
| 2009 | 163.3 |
| 2010 | 182.6 |
| 2011 | 189.5 |
| 2012 | 177.2 |
| 2013 | 174.3 |
| 2014 | 191.3 |
| 2015 | 178.4 |
| 2016 | 184.6 |
| 2017 | 176.9 |
| 2018 | 177.2 |
| 2019 | 170.4 |
| 2020 | 164.9 |
| 2021 | 175.5 |
| 2022 | 176.8 |
| 2023 | 168.1 |
| 2024 | 155.0 |
Utilities: 126.6 in 2008, 112.8 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 126.6 |
| 2009 | 130.1 |
| 2010 | 117.2 |
| 2011 | 114.6 |
| 2012 | 110.9 |
| 2013 | 113.9 |
| 2014 | 109.8 |
| 2015 | 113.4 |
| 2016 | 113.1 |
| 2017 | 111.6 |
| 2018 | 106.8 |
| 2019 | 106.1 |
| 2020 | 106.3 |
| 2021 | 114.5 |
| 2022 | 104.5 |
| 2023 | 109.0 |
| 2024 | 112.8 |
Other services: 105.3 in 2008, 103.0 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.3 |
| 2009 | 105.0 |
| 2010 | 106.0 |
| 2011 | 106.0 |
| 2012 | 104.3 |
| 2013 | 105.1 |
| 2014 | 106.9 |
| 2015 | 106.8 |
| 2016 | 104.7 |
| 2017 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 102.1 |
| 2020 | 103.7 |
| 2021 | 102.3 |
| 2022 | 104.2 |
| 2023 | 102.9 |
| 2024 | 103.0 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in District of Columbia is $81,872, 1st of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- District of Columbia
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| District of Columbia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $60,539 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $59,790 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $61,203 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $63,372 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $64,062 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $61,773 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $63,647 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $67,939 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $70,295 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $72,407 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $72,574 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $74,146 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $78,403 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $80,885 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $77,241 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $79,990 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $81,872 | $59,195 |
States with similar prices
- New Jersey 108.8
- Maryland 105.0
- Washington 107.0
- New York 107.9
- Colorado 103.1
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.