🇺🇸 United States · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Washington DC? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
One-bed apartment, Arlington or Silver SpringUSD 1,900–2,500 / month
Metro monthly passUSD 96 / month, with fares capped for frequent riders
Groceries, one personUSD 400–560 / month
Residential parking permitUSD 50 / year — but the zone rules matter more than the price
Federal per-diem meal allowance, one personUSD 26–38 — the federal per-diem meal allowance for Washington DC (GSA FY2026)
Electricity — Pepco, for the 614 kWh the regulator calls an average residential monthUSD 146 / month from 1 July 2026, when the DC Public Service Commission approved a 7.0% (USD 9.56) rise on a USD 136.57 bill
Good to know
Population
≈680,000 in the District; ≈6.3 million across the DC–Maryland–Virginia metro
Languages
English; Spanish and Amharic are the largest others — DC has one of the biggest Ethiopian communities outside Ethiopia
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Time zone
EST (GMT-5); EDT (GMT-4) from mid-March to early November
Power plug
Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz
Climate
Humid subtropical — hot muggy summers, mild winters, and a spectacular but brief cherry blossom spring
Driving side
Right
Political status
Not a state — residents pay federal tax with no voting representation in Congress
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Washington DC checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Washington DC
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.