Best Places to Live in District of Columbia
The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 1 District of Columbia cities — ranked from official data.
Choosing where to live in District of Columbia comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.
Most Affordable Cities in District of Columbia
Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).
| # | City | Cost of Living | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 109 | 670,587 |
Safest Cities in District of Columbia
Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.
| # | City | Crime Index | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 215 | 670,587 |
Highest-Income Cities in District of Columbia
Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| # | City | Median Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $101,722 | 670,587 |
Best School Districts in District of Columbia
Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).
| # | City | School Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | A | 670,587 |
All Cities in District of Columbia
Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemployment | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 670,587 | $101,722 | $705,000 | $1,817 | 7.1% | 215 |