This is one of the things about the DC area that I think makes it somewhat unique amongst the VHCOLs in the US (I've lived in several). It's really all about the housing. If you can somehow solve for that, expenses for other things are not that much above the national average. As one example, the grocery market is extremely competitive, and the likes of Walmart, Aldi, Lidl, and the like are accessible and convenient for most in the metro area. Gas prices are at the national average. And, if you live in Virginia, you can also have a tax burden that is around the national average as well. This can make the DC area more manageable than, say, NYC, SF, and Boston, for example.People talk about the DC region being a high-cost-of-living area, but the median household income in Montgomery County, Maryland is $125k, and in Fairfax County, Virginia it's $140k, so most households here are getting by on a lot less than you'll have. Housing is expensive, and private schools are expensive, but many public schools are good and most other daily expenses (groceries, transportation, restaurant meals) are not more expensive than in most other areas of the country, and the array of activities available for children (and adults) are vast.
Best of luck with your move, and feel free to contact me if I can help with any additional information.
Statistics: Posted by FrugalFed — Sun Oct 20, 2024 1:31 am