City comparison
New York vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between New York (166.9) and Washington (142.9).
New York Index
166.9
Washington Index
142.9
New York Rent
$4,850
Washington Rent
$3,800
New York Home price
$787,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in New York to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$122,437
Based on the relative overall cost of living between New York and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | New York | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 245 | 201 | -44.0 (-18.0%) |
| Groceries | 138 | 117 | -21.0 (-15.2%) |
| Transportation | 121 | 109 | -12.0 (-9.9%) |
| Healthcare | 117 | 111 | -6.0 (-5.1%) |
| Utilities | 112 | 104 | -8.0 (-7.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 134 | 118 | -16.0 (-11.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$8,110 / $6,720
New York / Washington
Couple
$13,620 / $11,160
New York / Washington
Family
$19,870 / $15,720
New York / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View New York city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for New York.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.