on $100k a year, leaving Lincoln
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.
in our guides
of 10
Best cities for remote workers
read the guideof 10
Best cities for health and wellness
read the guideof 10
Most livable cities in America
read the guideof 10
Best places to move in 2026
read the guideof 10
Best cities for parks and green space
read the guideof 10
Best cities for digital nomads
read the guideof 10
Best cities for dog owners
read the guidethe verdict
more each month than Lincoln ran you
Washington doesn't pretend to be affordable. Move here for what Washington is, not for what it leaves on your monthly ledger.
a quick ledger.
$2,352/mo
79% more expensive than Lincoln(vs $1,311/mo)
8.5%
$222/mo more in state tax than Lincoln
vs 5.84% in Lincoln
$5,273/mo
$1,263 less than Lincoln
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$626k
107% more expensive than Lincoln
vs $302k in Lincoln
6.3M
vs 344k in Lincoln
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in washington.
Lincoln barely cracks 152 pleasant ones.
544% more happening than in Lincoln.
87/100
64% higher than Lincoln
vs 53/100 in Lincoln
Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.
98/100
31% higher than Lincoln
vs 75/100 in Lincoln
160
5233% more than Lincoln
vs 3 nonstops in Lincoln
if washington appeals, also worth a look:
