Travel budget and cost of living in Washington D. C. (United States) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Washington D. C. compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Washington D. C. in 2025 is 22% 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 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Washington D. C. by expense type

Restaurant budget in Washington D. C.

Lunch

$ 29/person
($ 16 to $ 46)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 61/person
($ 38 to $ 102)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 13/person
($ 10.1 to $ 14)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 8.1 for 500ml
($ 6.1 to $ 13)

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35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 4.5 for 330ml
($ 2.5 to $ 10.1)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 6.1/cup
($ 5 to $ 8.1)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 3.5/can
($ 2.9 to $ 4.6)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 2.8/bottle
($ 2.2 to $ 5)

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35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Washington D. C.

1-star hotel

$ 251/night
($ 80 to $ 878)

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49% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

2-star hotel

$ 150/night
($ 72 to $ 614)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 245/night
($ 97 to $ 601)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244

4-star hotel

$ 347/night
($ 140 to $ 945)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 348

5-star hotel

$ 719/night
($ 389 to $ 1666)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 584

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 183/month
($ 102 to $ 453)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

Room with kitchen

$ 251/month
($ 83 to $ 1302)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 264/month
($ 92 to $ 1275)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Cottage or guest house

$ 259/month
($ 157 to $ 518)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256

Family room

$ 224/month
($ 73 to $ 578)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 217

Supermarket food budget in Washington D. C.

Milk

$ 1.2/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 4.5/500g
($ 1.6 to $ 6.7)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Rice

$ 6.1/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 12)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 4.7/12 eggs
($ 2.3 to $ 7)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 17/kg
($ 7.7 to $ 27)

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35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 6.3/kg
($ 3 to $ 8.9)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 6.3/kg
($ 2.9 to $ 12)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 3/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 7)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 2.6
($ 2 to $ 3.7)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Washington D. C.

Bus ticket

$ 2.7/ticket
($ 2.1 to $ 5)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.6/km
($ 1.6 to $ 3)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 0.9/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.1)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 4.1
($ 4.1 to $ 4.1)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 92/24hrs
($ 47 to $ 234)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 85

Leisure activity budget in Washington D. C.

Cinema

$ 18/ticket
($ 16 to $ 26)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 40/hr
($ 31 to $ 52)

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70% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

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

Cigarettes

$ 15/pack
($ 11 to $ 16)

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36% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.4

Levi's jeans

$ 73
($ 37 to $ 112)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53

Summer dress

$ 50
($ 31 to $ 77)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

London → Washington D. C.

$ 857
(fair price: $ 687)

Montreal → Washington D. C.

$ 435
(fair price: $ 401)

Edinburgh → Washington D. C.

$ 852
(fair price: $ 665)

Toronto → Washington D. C.

$ 365
(fair price: $ 292)

Los Angeles → Washington D. C.

$ 367
(fair price: $ 268)

Dublin → Washington D. C.

$ 641
(fair price: $ 544)

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