So, you’re curious about living in Washington DC? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the District of Columbia.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Washington DC matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Washington DC is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Washington DC
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Washington DC is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Washington DC:
- Away from the hustle and bustle of a bigger city -DC is centrally located with access to great restaurants, museums, and outdoor activities in every direction.
- Easy transportation around DC that includes metro trains, buses, bike lanes, street cars – even water taxis!
- Wonderful school system ranging from preschool all the way up through college.
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Washington DC:
- Commute times can be very long on some days depending on where you work.
- Winters can be very cold.
- There are many tourist hotspots nearby – so it can get very crowded (if that’s not your thing).
Read More: Is Washington DC a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Washington DC
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Washington DC? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Washington DC!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Washington DC.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Read More: Best Places to Live in Washington DC
Checklist for Moving to Washington DC
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Washington DC. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Washington DC.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Washington DC:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Washington DC driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Washington DC
- Getting Washington DC car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Washington DC and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Washington DC.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Washington DC and your previous home state.
Visit your Washington DC Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Washington DC Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Washington DC.
Things to Know About Living in Washington DC
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Washington DC, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in DC
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
DC ranks 50th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 154.7], meaning it’s a very expensive place to live.
Here is how DC scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 112.7
- Housing: 257.4
- Utilities: 108
- Transportation: 110
- Health: 91.4
- Miscellaneous: 122.3
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in DC
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to DC from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
DC’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6%.
Check with the DC tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in DC
If you own or plan to own real estate in DC, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
DC ranks 5th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of .56%
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the DC tax office for the most current tax rates.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in DC
Our DC moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in DC is The White House.
National Monuments that you can find in DC include:
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
- President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Washington DC
Washington DC is the capital district of the United States that lies in the southern region.
What is the population of Washington DC?
The population of Washington DC based on 2020 US Census data is 689,545.
What is the size of Washington DC?
Washington DC is 68.34 square miles.
What is the state bird of Washington DC?
The state bird of Washington DC is the Wood thrush.
What is the state flower of Washington DC?
The state flower of Washington DC is the American Beauty Rose.
What is the state tree of Washington DC?
The state tree of Washington DC is the Scarlet Oak.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Washington DC?
The minimum wage in Washington DC is $15.20 per hour.
What is the median income in Washington DC?
The median annual household salary in Washington DC is $85,203.