Compare states / District of Columbia
DC
Compare District of Columbia with other states
The District of Columbia is compact and urban: about 696,000 residents at 11,410 people per square mile, the highest density among the 50 states and D.C. Its top income-tax rate of 10.75% is tied for the 4th-highest nationally; its average combined sales tax of 6.00% is tied for the 11th-lowest in the country. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $588,045 is the 5th-highest nationally. Its reported violent-crime rate, 1,006 per 100,000 residents, is the highest nationally.
Data: District of Columbia (otr.cfo.dc.gov, dmv.dc.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 10.75% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.60% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | For 2026 deaths, the District of Columbia exclusion is $4,988,400. Graduated rates run from 11.2% to 16% on the taxable estate above the exclusion. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | The District of Columbia minimum wage $18.40, effective July 1, 2026. |
| Median home value | $588,045 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $26.00 |
| Registration (base) | $72.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually need a new state license |
Parks and people
| State parks | 0 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 695,980 |
| Population density | 11,410.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 37.7% White (non-Hispanic) 11.5% Hispanic 44.9% Black 4.4% Asian |
| Violent crime | 1005.5 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in the District of Columbia
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 10.75%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in the District of Columbia
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in the District of Columbia
- Get a DC driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in the District of Columbia.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. The District of Columbia elections site.
- Nurse license: the District of Columbia is not in the nurse compact. Plan on a new DC RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in the District of Columbia: September 30. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
Official District of Columbia DMV
How the District of Columbia compares
Alaska does not tax wages. The District of Columbia’s top listed rate is 10.75% (Top listed rate 10.75%).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include District of Columbia are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. The District of Columbia does not tax Social Security benefits (DC tax agency).
- Estate tax. The District of Columbia estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. The District of Columbia has no state inheritance tax (DC tax agency).
- Minimum wage. District of Columbia $18.40 · D.C. DOES $18.40 (July 1, 2026).
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. District of Columbia 6.00%.
- State parks. The District of Columbia has no state-park system (0). Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; DC 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (DC).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. District of Columbia 30 days.
- Days to title a car. District of Columbia 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled