Washington District of Columbia is one of the most attractive cities in the United States and is rated as one of the best places to live in the country.
Surrounded by beautiful green scenery and numerous parks, D.C. is rich in U.S. history with tons of breathtaking museums, monuments, and architecture.
Well-known for its excellent quality of life, amazing hiking and biking trails, and extremely high walkability rate (98/100), the capital of the U.S. is one of the safest cities in the country and the world.
Washington DC boasts of one of the highest-paying job markets in the country alongside a strong local economy powered by the government and private sectors, making it one of the most coveted cities in the country.
If you're considering moving to Washington DC, this guide contains all the most important information you need about the U.S. capital to make the right decision.
Let's get started! Here's a breakdown of what we're going to cover in this Washington DC guide:
Let's get right to it.
A quick look at the population and other demographics of Washington DC.
About 689,545 people reside in Washington DC and its density is 11,294.76/sq mi. It stands 20th in the list of populous places in the US.
Washington DC has a humid subtropical climate. Winters are cool with light snow and summers are hot and humid. The winter temperatures average around 38 ℉. It snows annually about 15.5 inches.
Summers are hot and humid and the temperature in July touches 79.8 ℉. Heat indices regularly approach 100 ℉ at the height of summer. The combination of heat and humidity in the summer brings very frequent thunderstorms, some of which occasionally produce tornadoes in the area.
The average commuting time in Washington DC is the highest in the US – 43 minutes. This is much higher than the US national average of 27 minutes. About a third of the DC residents spend 45minutes or more commuting to the office every day. The average commute time in Washington DC has been increasing over the years.
The District of Columbia is rated as one of the most livable cities in the country for numerous reasons. We've compiled some of these reasons to make it easier to make up your mind about moving to Washington DC:
Washington DC ranks third in the country to find a job. You’ve got plenty of opportunities in all sectors — public, private, and non-profit. Regardless of who is in the White House, the job market in Washington DC remains strong.
As job opportunities are abundant, you take home a fat check than most of the neighboring areas. Be it the service sector, government jobs, or IT, the paycheck is higher in Washington DC.
Washington DC is not just about politics and historic monuments but the city also has amazing and spectacular parks. About 20% of the city is dedicated to green spaces and here’s a list of the best parks in Washington DC.
Washington DC has got no shortage of outdoor recreation, especially in summer. From hiking, biking, and running to celebrations and festivals, Washington DC has got something for everyone. We’ve compiled a list of the activities to catch up on the outside.
Washington DC is an incredible city with a very versatile taste palette. From avocado toast to Chesapeake blue crabs via Thai pumpkin curry and hangover-blasting old-school burgers, the city draws from a myriad of cuisines to fill your belly with waist-expanding goodness.
Here’s a list of the mouth watering cuisines to relish at Washington DC
Unlike many other big cities in the US, Washington DC has a robust public transport system and you don’t need to drive within the city. Washington DC has the second-highest percentage of public transit commuters. While commuting within the city or suburbs, you can pick from the metro rail, streetcar, commuter rail, public buses, and cabs.
Being the capital city and home to unlimited historic monuments and political offices, Washington DC has got a great scope in tourism and it is one of the most visited cities in the country. As tourism flourishes in DC, it is bringing in huge revenues to the city coffers and also add up more job opportunities.
Washington DC gets all four seasons. The weather is mild in comparison to many parts of the US. In winter, occasional snowstorms occur and temperatures often fluctuate above freezing. Spring is beautiful when the flowers blossom. The summers are hot and humid.
Hidden amongst the office buildings and row homes, some gorgeous places feel, well, quite magical. We’ve got 10 places in Washington DC to imagine you are in a fairy tale.
Washington DC has a thriving nightlife scene to cater to all of the tourists, university students, and government employees who need to let off some steam. The night scene is not just limited to booze and dining but there’s much more. Washington DC has got night museums, night performances, theaters, music shows, and bowling venues alive throughout the night till the sun rises.
Here we're giving you the opportunity to weigh your options carefully about moving to Washington DC considering the pros and cons of living in the city:
The pros of living in Washington DC | The cons of living in Washington DC |
---|---|
DC is a big city where big ideas thrive | Crowded streets |
The city is culturally diverse | It's not a car-friendly state |
DC has a great public transport system | Traffic is terrible |
DC is a walkers', bikers,' and riders' paradise | High cost of living |
DC is the world's first LEED platinum city | Expensive housing |
DC is a great place for sports fan | Poor public-school system |
Easy access to breathtaking museums and monuments | High crime rates in some areas |
Great universities and colleges | High stress level triggered by long work hours |
Available diverse worship centers | Summers can be harsh sometimes |
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Some of the best places to live in the entire United States are in Washington District of Columbia. We've compiled a list of the ten best places to live in the city so you'll have one less thing to worry about if you're moving to Washington DC.
Place | Population | Median Home Value | Median Income |
---|---|---|---|
Au-Tenleytown | 18,855 | $973,793 | $178,534 |
Cleveland Park | 11,732 | $759,100 | $138,234 |
The Palisades | 3,598 | $1,188,500 | $166,149 |
Chevy Chase | 18,506 | $919,342 | $142,356 |
Barnaby Woods | 9,436 | $1,017,370 | $176,403 |
Woodley Park | 7,667 | $948,260 | $140,259 |
Kalorama | 2,608 | $1,335,200 | $134,859 |
Glover Park | 12,937 | $573,173 | $115,917 |
Berkley | 2,252 | $1,083,560 | $156,869 |
Georgetown | 14,118 | $1,056,531 | $150,426 |
The cost of living in Washington District of Columbia is based on a U.S. average of 100%. A percentage that is above 100 means the city's cost of living is higher than the national average. A percentage that is lower than 100 means such cost is less than the U.S. average.
The overall cost of living in Washington District of Columbia is 154.3%. This is higher than the national average of 100%.
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START MY QUOTERenting a home in Washington DC is fairly easy but the median rent price is higher than most other parts of the country. About 51.9% of District of Columbia residents are renters while about 3.3% of homes and apartments are open to rent.
Here's a simple breakdown of the state's real estate market:
You may decide to buy a home if you're moving to Washington DC. The median value of homes in the District of Columbia are higher than the national average.
To give you a better idea of how much you're most likely to pay for a home in Washington District of Columbia, we've compiled the most important data about the city's housing market to help you make the right decision. Here they are:
The job market is always booming in the Washington District of Columbia. The city offers opportunities for tons of high-paying jobs in various sectors. Up to 30% of the city's residents are hired by the government.
But how soon can you get a job if you're moving to Washington DC and how can you commute to work?
We've compiled key data about DC's job market to help you get started. Here they are:
So, how much are you going to be earning if you move to Tennessee?
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Best Places has some relevant data we can use:
If you're moving to Washington District of Columbia, chances are you're most likely to get a job in these industries:
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START MY QUOTEOnce you move to the District of Columbia, what company should be on your list to work for? We've compiled a list of the biggest employers in Washington DC to give you a crystal-clear idea.
There are so many great companies to work for in the Washington District of Columbia's booming job market. We've made a list of the best companies to work for in the city to make your job hunting easier. Here they are:
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Washington DC.
The District of Columbia boasts of a lot of high-income earners. We've drawn a simple analysis of the amount you're most likely to earn if you move to Washington DC.
Depending on where you are right now, moving to Washington District of Columbia could mean paying less or more in taxes. We've compiled the major tax information in Washington DC to help you compare apples to apples.
Washington DC is a world-famous city known for many great things. If you're moving to the District of Columbia, you should be aware of what the city is mostly known for. Here's a list of what Washington District of Columbia is well-known for:
The seat of the US federal government, United States Capitol on Capitol Hill is at the eastern end of the National Mall on a plateau 88 feet above the level of the Potomac River. The original building built in 1800 was destroyed in a fire in 1814 and was fully restored within 5 years. A perfect example of neoclassical style, it covers well over 1.5 million square feet, has over 600 rooms, and has miles of corridors.
The official residence of the US President at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW is a neoclassical-style building. The construction took place between 1792 and 1800 using Aquia Creek sandstone painted white.
At the western end of the National Mall, the grand Lincoln Memorial towers over the Reflecting Pool. The Greek Doric temple-styled monument was opened to the public in 1922 and has always been a major tourist attraction.
An obelisk in Washington DC honoring George Washington, the first president, the Washington Monument is 554 meters in height and weighs an estimated 91,000 tons. Located almost due east of the Reflecting Pool, it is the tallest monument column in the world.
National Mall refers to the entire area between the Lincoln Memorial on the west and east to the United States Capitol grounds, with the Washington Monument dividing the area slightly west of its midpoint. The National Mall has art galleries, cultural institutions, and various memorials, sculptures, and statues. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is adjacent to the National Mall and is a 2-acre site dominated by a black granite wall with the names of soldiers who laid their lives in the Vietnam War engraved on it.
The National Air and Space Museum is the second most visited museum in the US and exhibits aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts. The museum has an IMAX theater for out-of-this-world escapes.
It displays about 141,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures, decorative arts, and new media tracing the development of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. The museum is a neoclassical building and it is one of the largest and the most visited in the US.
The world’s most popular natural history museum is situated at the National Mall and contains over 145 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts.
The National Zoological Park or the National Zoo is one of the oldest in the US and has two campuses. The zoo is home to about 2,700 animals of 390 different species and one-fifth of them are endangered or threatened. The zoo campuses also have 180 species of trees, 850 species of woody shrubs and herbaceous plants, 40 species of grasses, and 36 different species of bamboo.
Devoted to the scientific, cultural, social, technological, and political development of the United States, the National Museum of American History has more than three million historical objects — including the famed Star-Spangled Banner — and documents that explore the evolution of the American identity.
The neoclassical Jefferson Memorial at the West Potomac Park is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the US and stands 4th on the ‘List of America’s Favorite Architecture'. Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir adjacent to the Jefferson Memorial, covering an area of 107 acres.
The 639-acre military cemetery across the Potomac River, at Arlington County, was established during the Civil War and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery has graves of more than 260,000 service members who lost lives in different wars.
The museum at National Mall focusing on African-American history is an architectural marvel. The museum has a subtle profile in the landscape – more than half is below ground – with five stories above. The entire building is wrapped in an ornamental bronze lattice referring to African American craftsmanship.
Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Washington DC, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.
If you're moving to Washington DC and have school age kids or interested in schooling, we've compiled the best schools in the city for you. The following are the best schools in Washington District of Columbia including elementary, middle, high, colleges and universities:
Mann Elementary School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 400 students
Lafayette Elementary School, District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 816 students
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS, KIPP DC, Charter, K-4 | 520 students
Murch Elementary School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 573 students
Ross Elementary School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 174 students
Deal Middle School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 6-8 | 1475 students
DC Prep - Edgewood Middle Campus
D.C. Preparatory Academy Pcs, Charter, 4-8 | 332 students
Hardy Middle School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 6-8 | 392 students
BASIS DC
Basis Dc Pcs, Charter, 5-12 | 598 students
Whittier Education Campus
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, PK-8 | 325 students
School Without Walls High School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 592 students
Benjamin Banneker High School
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 482 students
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 566 students
Public, 9-12 | 566 students
District Of Columbia Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 1829 students
Washington Latin PCS - Upper School
Washington Latin Pcs, Charter, 9-12 | 331 students
Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Howard University
The catholic university of America
Gallaudet University
University of the District of Columbia
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