Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 46% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 406 prices entered by 52 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Washington D.C. (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 | $21 | + 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $12 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 | $5.86 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.06 | $1.05 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 | $4.22 | + 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 | $4.64 | + 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $12 | $7 | + 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.59 | $3.77 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.48 | $2.18 | + 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.98 | $4.05 | - 2% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $20 | - 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.97 | $3.27 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.27 | $2.42 | - 7% | |
| Housing | + 80% | |||
| Housing in Washington D.C. (United States) is 80% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,544 | $1,715 | + 165% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,268 | $1,495 | + 119% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $199 | $226 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,643 | $1,594 | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,070 | $1,051 | + 97% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $120 | $141 | - 15% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 | $42 | + 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $279 | $269 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 | $118 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 | $11 | + 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 | $35 | + 8% | |
| Clothes | + 26% | |||
| Clothes in Washington D.C. (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $73 | $62 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $59 | $47 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $114 | $105 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $182 | $111 | + 63% | |
| Transportation | + 81% | |||
| Transportation in Washington D.C. (United States) is 81% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,613 | $29,083 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.90 | $0.88 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $130 | $58 | + 125% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 | $20 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | + 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Washington D.C. (United States) is about the same as in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $8 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 | $27 | - 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $107 | $86 | + 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $7 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.28 | $5.28 | - 0% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.79 | $3.72 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.99 | $4.05 | + 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.56 | $2.22 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $40 | $25 | + 62% | |
| Entertainment | + 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Washington D.C. (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 | $51 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 | $22 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $390 | $271 | + 44% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $105 | $93 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $12 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.47 | $4.34 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 | $7 | + 29% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $525 | $627 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.18 | $0.39 | - 53% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $103 | $44 | + 133% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $9 | + 46% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 46% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 406 prices entered by 52 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $7,290 in Washington D.C. to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,000 in Columbus, Ohio.
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