Washington D. C. travel budget

Washington D. C.: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Washington D. C.

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Washington D. C. for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 99 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 11 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2272*

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 179 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 58 per person
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 18 per person

Total budget:

$ 5221*

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 265 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 101 per person
  • $ 45 per person
  • $ 36 per person

Total budget:

$ 8769*

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Washington D. C. compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Washington D. C. in 2024 is 26% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Washington D. C. in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Washington D. C. by expense type

Restaurant budget in Washington D. C.

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Washington D. C. is 25% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 27/person
($ 17 to $ 37)

30% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 52/person
($ 36 to $ 102)

38% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 13/person
($ 11 to $ 16)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8 for 500ml
($ 6 to $ 12)

38% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 4.5 for 330ml
($ 2.4 to $ 8)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.5/cup
($ 4.1 to $ 7.5)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.9/can
($ 2 to $ 4.1)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.4/bottle
($ 1.7 to $ 4.1)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Washington D. C.

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Washington D. C. is 13% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 233/night
($ 65 to $ 848)

43% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 134/night
($ 63 to $ 512)

11% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 224/night
($ 87 to $ 573)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 307/night
($ 125 to $ 743)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 303
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 630/night
($ 357 to $ 1435)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 454
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 199/month
($ 79 to $ 612)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 224/month
($ 74 to $ 1136)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 237/month
($ 83 to $ 1153)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 201
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 238/month
($ 141 to $ 570)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221
Family room
Family room
$ 203/month
($ 65 to $ 559)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199

Supermarket food budget in Washington D. C.

On average, the price of supermarket food in Washington D. C. is 21% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 4.2/500g
($ 1.7 to $ 6.7)

21% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 5.8/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 12)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4/12 eggs
($ 2.3 to $ 6)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 16/kg
($ 7.7 to $ 21)

30% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 5.8/kg
($ 3.7 to $ 8.9)

15% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 6.2/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 12)

30% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 7.1)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.6
($ 2 to $ 3.8)

21% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Washington D. C.

On average, the price of transport in Washington D. C. is 18% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.5/ticket
($ 2 to $ 4.5)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.5/km
($ 1.9 to $ 4.4)

50% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 0.9/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 4.1
($ 3 to $ 5)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 81/24hrs
($ 24 to $ 288)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 69

Leisure activity budget in Washington D. C.

On average, budget for leisure activities in Washington D. C. is 48% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 18/ticket
($ 16 to $ 21)

26% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 36/hr
($ 31 to $ 37)

71% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Washington D. C.

On average, shopping budget in Washington D. C. is 31% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 12/pack
($ 11 to $ 16)

14% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 80
($ 42 to $ 112)

55% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 53
($ 31 to $ 71)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Montreal → Washington D. C.
Montreal → Washington D. C.
Montreal → Washington D. C.
$ 377
(fair price: $ 331)
Edinburgh → Washington D. C.
Edinburgh → Washington D. C.
Edinburgh → Washington D. C.
$ 757
(fair price: $ 595)
London → Washington D. C.
London → Washington D. C.
London → Washington D. C.
$ 715
(fair price: $ 545)
Toronto → Washington D. C.
Toronto → Washington D. C.
Toronto → Washington D. C.
$ 303
(fair price: $ 246)
Los Angeles → Washington D. C.
Los Angeles  → Washington D. C.
Los Angeles  → Washington D. C.
$ 353
(fair price: $ 257)
Dublin → Washington D. C.
Dublin → Washington D. C.
Dublin → Washington D. C.
$ 557
(fair price: $ 467)

Book a flight Flight prices to Washington D. C.




About this information on the cost of living in Washington D. C.

The information about the cost of living in Washington D. C. shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Washington D. C. was updated on 11-11-2024.

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