Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 23% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,147 prices entered by 142 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Washington D.C. (United States) is 20% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 | $30 | - 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $15 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 | $7 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.13 | $1.36 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.91 | $8 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 | $8 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $11 | $9 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.61 | $5.68 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.51 | $2.95 | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.20 | $8 | - 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 | $19 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.36 | $3.79 | - 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.12 | $4.38 | - 29% | |
| Housing | - 19% | |||
| Housing in Washington D.C. (United States) is 19% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,190 | $6,011 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,969 | $3,627 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $234 | $297 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,981 | $3,501 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,995 | $2,615 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 | $225 | - 37% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $68 | $67 | + 0% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $447 | $380 | + 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 | $138 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 | $26 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $28 | + 42% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Washington D.C. (United States) is 9% more expensive than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 | $69 | + 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $73 | $50 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $127 | $126 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $154 | $266 | - 42% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Washington D.C. (United States) is about the same as in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,652 | $48,568 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.88 | $0.90 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $138 | $127 | + 9% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 | $34 | - 35% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Washington D.C. (United States) is 41% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $19 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 | $54 | - 75% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $197 | $208 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 | $14 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.85 | $10 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.79 | $13 | - 64% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.36 | $9 | - 42% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.56 | $3.14 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $43 | $44 | - 3% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Washington D.C. (United States) is 48% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 | $86 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 | $38 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $458 | $541 | - 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $138 | $229 | - 40% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 | $20 | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.71 | $7 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 | $9 | + 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $524 | $853 | - 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.40 | $1.66 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $108 | $177 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $18 | - 29% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,147 prices entered by 142 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $19,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $14,591 in Washington D.C..
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