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State cost profile · 2024 BEA RPP

Cost of Living in District of Columbia

Statewide Regional Price Parities for District of Columbia from the Bureau of Economic Analysis — overall, goods, services, and rents vs the U.S. average of 100, across 1 metro areas.

109.9
Statewide RPP
#3
of 51 states by cost
155.0
Rents RPP
1
Metro areas

The verdict

District of Columbia is more expensive than 94% of U.S. states — a statewide cost index of 109.9, 9.9% above the national average.

109.9
statewide cost index (US average = 100)
#3
of 51 states by overall cost
top 6%
nationally, among all states
155.0
rents RPP — the biggest budget swing

A $100,000 national salary carries the purchasing power of about $90,991 when earned in District of Columbia.

Reading the District of Columbia Cost of Living Picture

The Bureau of Economic Analysis places District of Columbia's statewide Regional Price Parity at 109.9 for the 2024 data year, 9.9% more expensive the U.S. baseline of 100. Inside the headline figure, the state's rents line runs hottest at 155.0. That internal spread — rather than the single state number — is what determines whether a household actually feels priced in or priced out.

District of Columbia captures 1 metro area in the BEA dataset, and the range across them is meaningful. With a single metro reporting in the BEA series, the statewide figure reflects that urban anchor directly. For goods the state indexes at 106.5, for services 112.8, and for rents 155.0 — the rent figure tends to be the most volatile input and deserves its own line-item review before any relocation decision.

Over time, District of Columbia's statewide index has eased by 2.5 points, narrowing the premium versus lower-cost states. Practically, this means a $100,000 national salary delivers the purchasing power of about $90,991 of national buying power when earned inside District of Columbia, and a household relocating here would need roughly $109,901 to reproduce a $100K lifestyle. Pair these numbers with metro-specific wage data and rent tables before treating the statewide figure as your planning assumption.

109.9
Overall
106.5
Goods
112.8
Services
155.0
Rents

District of Columbia vs every U.S. state

Where this state sits in the national cost distribution

110 Top 6% higher than 94% of 51 US states

84–87: 2 US states (4%). Below this entry. 87–90: 7 US states (14%). Below this entry. 90–93: 8 US states (16%). Below this entry. 93–96: 6 US states (12%). Below this entry. 96–99: 8 US states (16%). Below this entry. 99–102: 5 US states (10%). Below this entry. 102–105: 8 US states (16%). Below this entry. 105–108: 3 US states (6%). Below this entry. 108–111: 4 US states (8%). This entry sits in this band. 111–114: 0 US states (0%). Above this entry. 114–117: 0 US states (0%). Above this entry. This state 84 117 every US state (incl. DC), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities · 2024

Metro areas in District of Columbia, ranked by cost

Metro area OverallGoodsServicesRents
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 108.9 104.8 106.7 151.1

The Rents RPP index measures housing costs relative to the national average (100). For the federal 40th-percentile Fair Market Rent by bedroom size and county, see the HUD Fair Market Rents dataset.

RPP History

Year Overall
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

Cost of Living Guides

Cheapest Metros to Live in 2026
Official BEA data on the most affordable areas
Most Expensive Cities: 2026 Rankings
What drives high costs and how to cope
Cost of Living vs Wages
Where your dollar goes furthest
Understanding Regional Price Parities
How BEA constructs RPP data

View all guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 109.9, meaning it is 9.9% more expensive than the national average. Goods are indexed at 106.5, services at 112.8, and rents at 155.0.
What salary in District of Columbia equals $100K nationally? ▼
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary at the national average, you would need approximately $109,901 in District of Columbia. Conversely, $100K earned in District of Columbia has the purchasing power of $90,991 at the national average.
Is housing expensive in District of Columbia? ▼
Rents in District of Columbia are indexed at 155.0, which is 55.0% above the national average. Housing costs are significantly higher than typical U.S. levels.
Is District of Columbia getting more expensive? ▼
From 2008 to 2024, District of Columbia's overall cost index changed by -2.5 points (from 112.4 to 109.9). The cost of living has been declining.
What is most expensive in District of Columbia compared to the U.S. average? ▼
The most expensive category in District of Columbia is rents at 155.0, which is 55.0% above the national average. All other categories are at or above the national average.

States with Similar Cost of Living

These states have RPP indices closest to District of Columbia, making them useful peers for relocation or budget comparison.

Hawaii
RPP 110.0 · 0.0 pts more expensive
California
RPP 110.7 · 0.8 pts more expensive
New Jersey
RPP 108.8 · 1.1 pts less expensive
New York
RPP 107.9 · 2.0 pts less expensive
Washington
RPP 107.0 · 2.9 pts less expensive

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities Index where national average = 100

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.