same $100k income, fresh start from San Diego
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
under San Diego, every month
Not a fortune, but real money. Washington runs cheaper than San Diego month over month.
a quick ledger.
$2,352/mo
19% cheaper than San Diego(vs $2,890/mo)
8.5%
$67/mo less in state tax than San Diego
vs 9.3% in San Diego
$5,273/mo
$605 more than San Diego
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$626k
38% cheaper than San Diego
vs $1010k in San Diego
6.3M
vs 3.3M in San Diego
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in washington.
San Diego actually gets more: 332 pleasant days a year.
About as much going on as in San Diego.
87/100
16% higher than San Diego
vs 75/100 in San Diego
Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.
98/100
1% lower than San Diego
vs 99/100 in San Diego
160
191% more than San Diego
vs 55 nonstops in San Diego
if washington appeals, also worth a look:
