Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 23% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in New York City or in Washington D.C.? You can help!
Improve the prices for New York City! Improve the prices for Washington D.C.!

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
(click to expand each category)
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% |

These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro is 54% cheaper than in Toronto
- Cost of living in Chiang Mai is 35% cheaper than in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Cost of living in Seville is 20% cheaper than in Palma de Mallorca
- Cost of living in Glasgow is 8% cheaper than in Vancouver
- Cost of living in Chiang Mai is 54% cheaper than in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cost of living in Seville is 53% cheaper than in Miami, Florida
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Riyadh is 20% more expensive than in Istanbul
- Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City is 37% cheaper than in Istanbul
- Cost of living in Tehran is 624% more expensive than in Bucharest
Compare other countries
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 $14,591 in Washington D.C..
Do you live in New York City? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Boston, Massachusetts (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mexico City (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Tucson, Arizona (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Boise, Idaho (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Cleveland, Ohio (United States)
Prices recently added
- 500 g of boneless chicken breast in João Pessoa costs R$ 15 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Oslo costs kr 25 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Madras costs ₨200 (about 4 hours ago)
- Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Krasnoyarsk costs руб 3,500,000 (about 5 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Ho Chi Minh City costs 500,000 ₫ (about 6 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Nancy costs €16 (about 7 hours ago)