Advertisement
New York vs Washington: prices, pay and housing
| New York, NY | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 112.6 | 108.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $86,310 | $91,930 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $61,430 | $71,060 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $76,677 | $84,429 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $65,407 | $68,657 |
| Typical home value | $727,625 | $583,013 |
| Median household income | $97,334 | $123,896 |
| Home price / household income | 7.5 | 4.7 |
| Metro population | 19,756,722 | 6,263,796 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: New York to Washington
To keep the same standard of living when moving from New York to Washington, multiply your salary by 0.967.
| Salary in New York | Same buying power in Washington |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in New York | $48,366 in Washington |
| $75,000 in New York | $72,549 in Washington |
| $100,000 in New York | $96,732 in Washington |
| $150,000 in New York | $145,097 in Washington |
| $200,000 in New York | $193,463 in Washington |
Salaries for common jobs in New York and Washington
| Job | New York | Washington | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $189,200 | $163,620 | $168,084 / $150,270 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,820 | $113,390 | $87,791 / $104,138 |
| Software Developers | $165,870 | $153,100 | $147,357 / $140,608 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,950 | $39,600 | $39,045 / $36,369 |
| Management Analysts | $133,590 | $145,310 | $118,680 / $133,454 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,130 | $35,550 | $32,986 / $32,649 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,520 | $39,660 | $40,440 / $36,424 |
| Cashiers | $38,180 | $36,630 | $33,919 / $33,641 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $41,120 | $39,110 | $36,531 / $35,919 |
| Lawyers | $224,840 | $226,780 | $199,746 / $208,277 |
| Registered Nurses | $119,600 | $104,590 | $106,252 / $96,056 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $55,000 | $51,820 | $48,862 / $47,592 |
| Managers, All Other | $180,660 | $176,670 | $160,497 / $162,255 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $119,280 | $113,640 | $105,967 / $104,368 |
| Security Guards | $46,140 | $54,430 | $40,990 / $49,989 |
Advertisement
Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
Go deeper
New York vs Washington: questions
Is New York more expensive than Washington?
Yes. BEA prices are 112.6 in New York, NY and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in New York?
About $96,732, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, New York or Washington?
Washington, DC: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.