on $100k a year, leaving Des Moines
changea dispatch from
washington
DC
38.91°N
77.04°W
Washington DC is power dressed in seersucker. The monuments glow at night, the Smithsonian museums are all free (yes, all of them), and the cherry blossoms in April make even cynical lobbyists pause for a selfie. It's one of the most international cities in America (embassies from everywhere), with food scenes to match. The vibe shifts every four years and the architecture stays magnificent through all of it.
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pricier each month than Des Moines
Washington is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$2,352/mo
85% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
8.5%
$208/mo more in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$5,273/mo
$1,292 less than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$626k
109% more expensive than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
6.3M
vs 737k in Des Moines
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in washington.
Des Moines only logs 151 pleasant days.
Nights and weekends fill up faster. 3.5× more on the calendar than Des Moines.
87/100
58% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.
98/100
26% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
160
841% more than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
if washington appeals, also worth a look:
