$100k a year, no longer in Olympia
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 Olympia ran you
A real premium for Washington. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$2,352/mo
18% more expensive than Olympia(vs $1,991/mo)
8.5%
$708/mo more in state tax than Olympia
vs 0% in Olympia
$5,273/mo
$1,069 less than Olympia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$626k
18% more expensive than Olympia
vs $533k in Olympia
6.3M
vs 299k in Olympia
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in washington.
Olympia actually gets more: 182 pleasant days a year.
87/100
9% higher than Olympia
vs 80/100 in Olympia
Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.
98/100
11% higher than Olympia
vs 88/100 in Olympia
160
78% more than Olympia
vs 90 nonstops in Olympia
in the same ballpark as washington:
