Business
- VAT
- No VAT; DC General Sales Tax is 6%
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $460,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $312,000 in Arlington or Silver Spring)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $648,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $390,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $850,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,900 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $501,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + 8.25% DC Franchise Tax
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Variable based on tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Federal worldwide income basis for citizens; DC local income tax for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 10.75% DC local (for income over $1M)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, highly complex 'GILTI' and Subpart F rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, standard rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value for residential
- Property Transaction Tax
- Recordation tax (1.1% to 1.45%) and Transfer tax (1.1% to 1.45%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No; high income tax and high cost of living compared to other US hubs
Essentials
- City
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Population
- Approximately 712,000 (City), 6.3 Million (Metro Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps; Verizon Fios and Xfinity are primary providers
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). 1 USD is the base currency. ATMs widely available.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; strictly monitored by DC Water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. eSIMs available via Airalo or Holafly (approx. $30/10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and digital options like Revolut or Wise
- Accommodation
- High-end corporate housing, Airbnb, and specialized sites like Blueground
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, extremely cashless; many cafes no longer accept physical currency
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and Landing (membership-based flexible housing)
- Budget Accommodation
- Duo Nomads Rising (approx. $45/night) or Generator Hotel Washington DC (approx. $60/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Penn Quarter/Chinatown and Capitol Hill for proximity to the National Mall
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Adams Morgan, Logan Circle, or H Street Corridor for local vibe and cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WeWork (various locations like 80 M St SE) or Industrious (Thomas Circle) - approx. $450/month desk
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tryst in Adams Morgan or The Potter's House; both have large tables and reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- General Assembly (DC Campus) workshops and DC Tech Meetup events
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Washington DC and 'Global Nomads' monthly happy hours at mission-driven bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft are dominant; Curb for traditional yellow/green taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Capital Bikeshare ($8/day or $95/year) and Lime/Bird/Spin scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sandy Point State Park (45 mins) or Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (2.5 hours)
- Top Regional Airline
- Southwest Airlines (operating mainly out of BWI)
- Top International Airline
- United Airlines (hub at Dulles International - IAD)
- Highway Access
- I-495 (Capital Beltway), I-395, and I-66
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Union Station (Amtrak, MARC, VRE, and Metro Red Line)
- Public Transport Passes
- SmarTrip card/app; $13 for a 1-day unlimited pass, $58 for a 7-day pass
- Regional Travel
- Amtrak Acela to NYC (3 hours) or Northeast Regional to Philadelphia (2 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital or George Washington University Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga District (multiple locations, approx. $22/class) and Past Tense Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- VIDA Fitness (U Street) and Washington Sports Clubs (approx. $80-$120/month)
- Laundry Services
- Laundroville or wash-and-fold services like Rinse (pickup/delivery)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Half-Smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street (approx. $7.50)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Shouk (Israeli plant-based) and Sticky Fingers Diner
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baked & Wired in Georgetown (famous for 'cakecups') and Milk Bar
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Trader Joe's (14th St) and ALDI (various locations)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day delivery available) and Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- U Street Corridor and the Wharf (waterfront bars)
- Local Brewery
- DC Brau Brewing Company and Bluejacket in Navy Yard
- Wine Bars
- Maxwell Park (Shaw) and Barcelona Wine Bar (14th St)
- Street Food Stalls
- Union Market (food hall with dozens of local vendors)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ethiopian food (Dukem Restaurant) and Salvadoran Pupusas (El Tamarindo)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the White House
- Museums & Art Venues
- Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Art (Free entry)
- Historical Sites
- Ford's Theatre and the Library of Congress (Jefferson Building)
- Religious Sites
- Washington National Cathedral and the Basilica of the National Shrine
- Annual Events
- National Cherry Blossom Festival (March/April)
- Cultural Districts
- Shaw (Jazz heritage) and Embassy Row (Massachusetts Ave)
- Theater Venues
- The Kennedy Center and The Anthem (live music)
- Local Markets
- Eastern Market (Capitol Hill) for crafts and food on weekends
- Music Scene
- 9:30 Club for indie acts and Blues Alley for jazz
- Street Art
- Murals of NW DC (Blagden Alley) and the 'Watermelon House' in Logan Circle
- Cooking Classes
- CulinAerie (14th St) and Cookology
- Art Galleries
- Phillips Collection and various galleries on R Street in Dupont Circle
- Historic Buildings
- The United States Capitol and Old Post Office Tower
- Local Heritage
- DC Statehood movement 'No Taxation Without Representation' culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rock Creek Park (trails and planetarium) and Theodore Roosevelt Island
- National Parks Nearby
- Shenandoah National Park (Virginia, 1.5 hours away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Capital Crescent Trail (11 miles) and the Mount Vernon Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Rooftop at the Kennedy Center or the top of the Old Post Office Tower
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens (famous for lotuses and egrets)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated fire pits at The Wharf (seasonal/rental)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- UPS Store, FedEx Office, and USPS (United States Postal Service)
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Carnegie Library and uBreakiFix (Dupont Circle)
- Table Tennis Spots
- SPIN Washington DC (Ping pong social club)
- Language Classes
- International Language Institute (ILI) near Dupont Circle
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (flagship central library)
- Community Centers
- District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) centers
- Gaming Lounges
- The Board Room (board games) and various e-sports bars
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- MGM National Harbor (just across the river in Maryland)