CostIndexUSA

Casper, WY vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWY
Casper
93.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Casper is significantly cheaper than Washington — 16.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Casper, you would need $92,900 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+103.6%
Casper
74.2
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+9.9%
Casper
95.4
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+1.9%
Casper
105.4
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.9%
Casper
95.4
Washington
97.2
Utilities+35.2%
Casper
78.9
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$92,900
$12,900 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 93.8) = salary × 1.1610. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Casper, WY

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5×

Washington, DC

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

Washington has 103.6% higher housing costs compared to Casper.

Income & Job Market

Casper, WY

Median Household Income
$73,200
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,324
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

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).

Casper, WY
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.