New York, NY vs Washington, DC: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Washington is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in New York are 3.7% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (127.0 in New York vs 106.7 in Washington). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,490 a month in New York and $3,627 in Washington.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 113.5 | 109.4 |
| BEA index for the area | 112.6 | 108.9 |
| Housing (rents) | 138.6 | 135.9 |
| Goods | 110.3 | 104.8 |
| Utilities | 127.0 | 106.7 |
| Other services | 105.8 | 102.3 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,490 | $3,627 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,199 | $5,311 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,335 | $6,532 |
| Median gross rent | $1,821 | $1,954 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,742 | $1,944 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,827 | $2,083 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,123 | $2,503 |
| Median home value | $777,600 | $737,100 |
| Median household income | $80,483 | $109,870 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.3% | 28.6% |
| Home value ÷ income | 9.7× | 6.7× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 28.65 | 25.98 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.22 | $4.23 † |
| Population | 8,483,844 | 681,294 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
New York, NY
New York price index by category, US average = 100: All items 113.5, Housing (rents) 138.6, Goods 110.3, Utilities 127.0, Other services 105.8
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | New York | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,966 | $2,374 | +$408 |
| Utilities | $614 | $534 | −$80 |
| Food at home | $819 | $779 | −$40 |
| Transportation | $1,830 | $1,781 | −$49 |
| Health care | $642 | $621 | −$21 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $464 | $443 | −$21 |
| Total | $6,335 | $6,532 | +$197 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Washington more expensive than New York?
No. Overall prices in Washington, DC (index 109.4) are 3.6% lower than in New York, NY (index 113.5), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 106.7 vs 127.0.
What salary do I need in Washington to match $60,000 in New York?
About $57,800. Going the other way, $60,000 in Washington buys about as much as $62,200 in New York. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in New York or Washington?
Median gross rent is $1,821 in New York and $1,954 in Washington (+7.3% in Washington; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $777,600 and $737,100.
Notes
- Washington: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources