Washington, District of Columbia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Washington.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Washington?
Washington planning snapshot: population 702,250, housing index 190 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $724,600, median rent $1,900, and income near $106,287. Expect 88°F summer highs, 32°F winter lows, and about 34-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 977.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 190U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $724,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,900U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $106,287U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 34 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 977.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Washington compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 702,250City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $106,287Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year35% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 190ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year90% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $724,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year139% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year41% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20261.7 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 34 min36% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 7771% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 977.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)67% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4245.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)37% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 32°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 41.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals27% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Washington grew 16.0% from 605,226 in 2010 to 702,250 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Washington expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Washington runs 90 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 190 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $724,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,900 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Washington?
Budget first around $1,900/month rent or $724,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $724,600
- Median rent $1,900/month
- Median household income $106,287
What is the job market like in Washington?
Labor-market context for Washington: unemployment 5.9% and median income $106,287. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $106,287
How long is the typical commute in Washington?
Plan on roughly 34 minutes each way in Washington. Walk Score estimates around 77 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 34 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 77/100
Is Washington safer than similar U.S. cities?
Washington's FBI-derived violent rate (~977.1/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 977.1 per 100k
- Property 4245.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Washington?
Washington's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 32°F winter mornings, 41.8" annual rainfall, and 247 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 32°F
- 41.8 in rain · 247 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Washington?
Georgetown is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Dupont Circle and Capitol Hill once you know your job location.
- Georgetown
- Dupont Circle
- Capitol Hill
Federal employment gravity and dense walkable neighborhoods define the District. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter lows around 32°F. Average one-way commute time is about 34 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 77/100. Unemployment near 5.9% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~977.1 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
About 702,250 people live in Washington, DC. With median income around $106,287 and a cost index of 190, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Entry home prices around $724,600 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
If you only tour one corridor, make it Georgetown; if you have a weekend, contrast it with Dupont Circle and the quieter edges near Capitol Hill. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Washington with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Georgetown
- Dupont Circle
- Capitol Hill
- Adams Morgan
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Washington city, 1600000US1150000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · District of Columbia, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013743 WASHINGTON REAGAN AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All District of Columbia cities · Full city index