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Moving Guides/Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

Moving to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

What you need to know before relocating to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, District of Columbia. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria a Good Place to Live?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: rent ($1,945/mo) is above the national average; home prices ($574,000) are above the us median.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria at a Glance

Population
6.3M
Median Income
$121,469
Median Rent
$1,945/mo
Median Home Price
$574,000
Unemployment
2.5%
Avg Commute
2652851 min

Cost of Living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

The median rent in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is $1,945/month, while the median home value is $574,000. With a median household income of $121,469, residents spend roughly 19% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is classified as expensive compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
39% above
Home Price vs. National Avg
88% above

Job Market

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a median household income of $121,469, which is 63% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

The violent crime rate in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 1151 per 100,000 residents, which is 203% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 4307 per 100,000 residents.

Education in District of Columbia

District of Columbia has a high school graduation rate of 76% and per-pupil spending of $18,272/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1.

66% of District of Columbia adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Pros and Cons of Living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

+Pros

  • Median household income ($121,469) exceeds the national median
  • Low unemployment rate (2.5%) signals a strong job market

-Cons

  • Rent ($1,945/mo) is above the national average
  • Home prices ($574,000) are above the US median
  • Violent crime rate (1151/100k) exceeds the national average
  • Longer-than-average commute (2652851 min)
  • Below-average high school graduation rate (76%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria a good place to live?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh rent ($1,945/mo) is above the national average and home prices ($574,000) are above the us median against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

The median rent in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is $1,945/month and the median home value is $574,000. The median household income is $121,469. Overall the metro is considered expensive.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria safe?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a violent crime rate of 1151 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has an unemployment rate of 2.5%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $121,469.

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