Median rent is 10% lower in Washington ($1,954/mo vs $2,175/mo). Buying is cheaper in Washington, where the median home runs $737,100 versus $831,200. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $95,227 a year). Taken together, Washington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 114.7 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Washington is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.5 in Washington vs 114.7 in Anaheim (US national average = 100)
City A
Anaheim, CA
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Anaheim, CA?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$71,597
You could earn $3,403 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Anaheim
California
Washington
District of Columbia
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Washington at $1,954/mo compared to $2,175/mo in Anaheim (10% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $831,200 in Anaheim and $737,100 in Washington.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Anaheim
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 35.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Washington if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 109.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Anaheim cheaper than Washington?
Washington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Washington.
How much is rent in Anaheim vs Washington?
Median rent is $2,175/mo in Anaheim, CA and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Anaheim or Washington?
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim, CA and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 35.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Anaheim or Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Anaheim income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anaheim, CA is equivalent to roughly $95,463 in Washington, DC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
