CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Atlantic City is moderately cheaper than Washington — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $88,100 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+53.1%
Atlantic City
98.7
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+5.0%
Atlantic City
99.8
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+4.5%
Atlantic City
102.8
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Atlantic City
93
Washington
97.2
Utilities2.3%
Atlantic City
109.2
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlantic City to see what you'd need to earn in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$88,100
$8,100 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 1.1011. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 53.1% higher housing costs compared to Atlantic City.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.