4 Keys to Living in Washington DC on a Budget

  1. Find DC’s free luxuries. Here’s one of the best parts of living in Washington DC: there are a ton of amazing things that you can do without spending any money! …
  2. Take Advantage of Metro Passes. …
  3. Save on rent — buy a home. …
  4. Spend money to save money.

Also Is Washington DC cheap to live?

With a cost of living that’s 51% higher than the national average and housing costs that are 135% higher, Washington, DC is one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in. Even the District of Columbia as a whole tops the list of most expensive states, coming second only to Hawaii.

Subsequently, Is it cheaper to live in DC Maryland or Virginia? In Maryland, the closer you get to the city the higher the prices are. … Maryland and Virginia rent prices will probably be around 70-80% of the DC rent prices.

Where is the best place to live if you work in Washington DC? Alexandria is a popular place to live because it has an upbeat vibe with a large number of great restaurants, stores, and bars. What’s even better is that it’s conveniently located across from DC via the Potomac River. This community is also very pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to live here without owning a car.

What is the most affordable city to live in?


Here are the top 10 most affordable cities to live in the U.S., according to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living report.

  • Cedar Park, Texas.
  • Midland, Texas.
  • Ogden, Utah.
  • Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • Provo, Utah.
  • Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Austin, Texas.
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Is it more expensive to live in DC or NYC?

Cost of Living Comparison Between Washington, DC and New York, NY

City Cost of Living Index

New York, NY

100
Washington, DC 82.16
Prague 50.01
Sydney 86.18

What is a good salary in DC?

The good news: It’s still not as tough to make ends meet in D.C. as in San Francisco, New York or San Jose, according to a new study. However, you will still need to earn $80,273 per year to live “comfortably” in our nation’s capital.

How much does it cost to live in DC per month?

Summary about cost of living in Washington, DC, United States: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 4,063$ without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,123$ without rent.

Are taxes higher in VA or MD?

Maryland’s general sales tax rate is 6% with no general local rates. … Purchases made out of state are subject to a 6% use tax unless the business has a physical location or delivers services in-state. Virginia’s general sales and use tax rate is 4.3% with a 1% additional local sales tax.

Is Washington DC more in Virginia or Maryland?

Washington is in neither Virginia nor Maryland. It is in the District of Columbia, which is the district designated way back when for the Federal Government.

Is Maryland expensive to live in?

Maryland is one of the most expensive states to live in the United States of America. Also known as America in Miniature or Little America, this beautiful US state has a pricy home market. Rent prices in this state are above the US average. … Goods and services in the state will cost more than the national average.

Where do people who work in DC commute from?

18.7% of people working in Washington, D.C. commute from Prince George’s County, Maryland and 14.8% from Montgomery County, Maryland. 13.2% come from Fairfax County, Virginia, 6% from Arlington County, Virginia, and 3.5% from Alexandria, Virginia.

Where should I live if I work near the White House?

Capitol Hill Area

When you’re seeking a place to live, the most obvious choice is going to be the Capitol Hills area for its convenience. It’s close proximity to the White House, U.S. Capitol and other places interns frequently work, made this one of the most popular neighborhood to seek housing in.

How many people who work in DC live in DC?

About 30 percent of the District’s workforce of around 800,000 actually lives in D.C., according to D.C.’s Office of Revenue Analysis.

Where can I live for $500 a month?


5 Places to Retire for Under $500 per Month

  • Leon, Nicaragua. …
  • Medellin, Colombia. …
  • Las Tablas, Panama. …
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand. …
  • Languedoc-Roussillon, France. …
  • Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.

Where is the safest and cheapest place to live?


America’s Safest (and Most Affordable) Places to Live

  • Aurora, Illinois. …
  • Killeen, Texas. …
  • Lubbock, Texas. …
  • Boise, Idaho. Metro area: Boise City-Nampa. …
  • Edmond, Oklahoma. Metro area: Oklahoma City. …
  • Fort Wayne, Indiana. Metro area: Fort Wayne. …
  • El Paso, Texas. Metro area: El Paso. …
  • Brownsville, Texas. Metro area: Brownsville-Harlingen.

What is the most affordable city in the US?


The 10 most affordable cities in the US

  • El Paso, Texas. City population: 679,813. …
  • Wichita, Kansas. City population: 389,877. …
  • Lexington, Kentucky. City population: 323,152. …
  • Little Rock, Arkansas. City population: 197,958. …
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma. City population: 402,324. …
  • Memphis, Tennessee. …
  • Knoxville, Tennessee. …
  • Austin, Texas.

How much do you need to make to live comfortably in DC?

The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, DC is $1,817, meaning a DC resident should make at least $5,451 monthly or $65,412 annually before taxes.

Which is safer DC or NYC?

Washington, D.C., is one of the 20 safest cities in the world, according to a new Economist Intelligence Report that looked at 50 cities. Unsurprisingly, the report concluded that wealth and economic development yield safer cities. …

Why is it so expensive to live in DC?

Land Is Crazy Expensive Here. High land values are at the root of staggering home prices in the D.C. area. … In Washington, jobs and economic development have lured new residents into the city after decades of population loss, pushing up land values. The cost of new and existing homes has risen as a result.

Is 80k a good salary for DC?

A study from GOBankingrates.com discovered that residents of Washington, D.C. earn a median household income of $69,235, which is $13,869 less than the income needed to cover necessities, savings and additional expenses. …

Is 150k a good salary in DC?

People living in Washington, D.C., need to be raking in an annual salary of close to $183,000 to be happy, a new survey finds. The survey from Purdue University and GoBankingRates.com found that Washington residents need to be making at least $182,595 per year to be happy there, local station Fox 5 reports.

What is middle class income in Washington, DC?

Even that number paints an incomplete picture—median household incomes range nationwide from $43,441 in Mississippi to $83,382 in Washington, DC. The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as people whose annual household income is two-thirds to double the national median income, adjusted for household size.