Living in Washington, DC
Major city in District of Columbia
Washington is a major city in District of Columbia, home to about 672,000 people, with 5.9 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, you can walk or take transit almost everywhere. Life moves at a very fast pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
In short: Policy, government and consulting careers in a walkable, transit-rich city. Expensive and fast-paced.
Is Washington a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 11 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Highly educated: 64% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8 research universities are within 31 mi
- Lots of culture: museums, zoos and attractions nearby
- Big job market: about 5.9 million people live within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Higher taxes: about $5,364 state income tax per resident, 0.58% property tax
- Higher crime: violent crime is 2.6× the US rate (FBI 2019)
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Pricey housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $638k, and rent is $2,840 a month
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Washington ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Washington: common questions
What is the cost of living in Washington?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $638k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,840 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 109, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Washington?
District of Columbia collects about $5,364 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.58% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Washington safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (2.6× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Washington?
Washington has cool winters: winter days average around 47°F and summer days around 88°F, with roughly 10″ of snow a year.
Does Washington get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding, earthquakes and heat waves: 11 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1.14 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Washington?
The nearest major airport is DCA, about 4 mi away.
How Washington scores
Each bar compares Washington with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is Washington right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.