Cost of living comparison
District of Columbia is 15.3% more expensive than California.
- Restaurants
-
pay 7.1% more in District of Columbia
- Groceries
-
pay 7.7% more in District of Columbia
- Transportation
-
pay 8.7% more in District of Columbia
- Housing
-
pay 2.5% less in District of Columbia
- Childcare
-
pay 29.5% more in District of Columbia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 21.1% more in District of Columbia
- Clothing
-
pay 35.8% more in District of Columbia
The cost of clothing, childcare, entertainment and sports, transportation, groceries, and restaurants in District of Columbia are more expensive than in California.
If you lived in District of Columbia instead of California, you would:
pay 7.1% more for restaurants
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.02
|
$25.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52
|
$12.00
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
|
$2.78
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
|
$2.22
|
|
pay 7.7% more for groceries
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14
|
$4.34
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.95
|
$7.84
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.61
|
$4.14
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33
|
$3.91
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.70
|
$6.73
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.34
|
$2.70
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.92
|
$0.85
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$2.46
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.38
|
$2.59
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.55
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.61
|
|
pay 8.7% more for transportation
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
|
$3.66
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$62.05
|
$75.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,005.28
|
$35,699.74
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$20.07
|
$23.88
|
|
pay 2.5% less for housing
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54
|
$66.46
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,371.29
|
$2,582.95
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,055.18
|
$2,028.70
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68
|
$146.65
|
|
pay 29.5% more for childcare
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,682.51
|
$2,273.25
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$30,905.75
|
$38,250.00
|
|
pay 21.1% more for entertainment and sports
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.00
|
$8.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.34
|
$5.55
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91
|
$11.75
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$66.35
|
$106.36
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.41
|
$17.18
|
|
pay 35.8% more for clothing
|
California
|
District of Columbia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77
|
$74.13
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15
|
$50.77
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15
|
$105.47
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$117.31
|
$178.48
|
|
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