Washington DC vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Washington
672,079
Washington +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Washington
39.1%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 119,508 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.2 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 43.3% | 31.5% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.5% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $69,261 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $44,508 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $65,328 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 14.8% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 37.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 29.1% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 13.7% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.4% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Washington, DC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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