Cost of living in DC - how much more than Jax???

[9a is my backyard]

My company has asked me if I'd be willing to relocate from Jacksonville to Washington DC in the coming months.  I told I'd be willing to move if I didn't feel like I was effectively taking a big pay cut due to the big cost of living increase in DC.  Does anyone have any sources they would recommend checking out to figure out the cost of living increase?  I've been doing some research in the past few days and I've seen a pretty wide range of figures - anything from $5,000 more to nearly $30,000 more.  Basically, I want to be able to determine what's reasonable to expect before I make a final decision on moving.

[tufsu1]

assume the cost of living is at least 1/3 higher than jax...and as much as 50% higher...see calculator below

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx

one way to keep the costs down is to live in the Baltimore metro area and commute to DC

[9a is my backyard]

Thanks tufsu!  That's what I've been seeing - at least 30% higher, as much as 60% higher.  I'm trying to shoot for the middle of the range and see if they'll meet me there.  I don't really expect that they will, and I'm not really looking to leave Jax so I have a feeling I'll be sticking around.

[Overstreet]

In more decades than I care to admit to here only one person following work to DC has actually lived in DC and she was a bit odd. Most folks live in Arlington, Fairfax and other VA cities.

[stjr]

Most folks live in Arlington, Fairfax and other VA cities.

I think you left off the other half of the population that lives in Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Springs, College Park, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Potomac, Columbia, etc.) all the way to Baltimore and out to the Eastern Shore.  

Don't forget to check out city and/or state income taxes wherever you chose and to put a value on your greatly expanded time for commuting if you live in Maryland or Virginia.  The Beltway is about as hellish as a road can get in rush hour and isn't much better any other time of day unless you drive during a Redskins game on TV.

I heard on the radio the other day that the text message shorthand for this area is now "DMV" for DC-Maryland-Virgina (not Dept. of Motor Vehicles).  

[JeffreyS]

The train in from Gaithersburg is easy and Baltimore is as well.

[9a is my backyard]

I'm trying to focus on places that I can use the Metro to get to/from work.  Not sure how realistic that is but I'm not a huge fan of my 20 minute drive from Riverside to the Southside here - there's no way I would drive in DC

I've looked into the VA state taxes but, since I haven't nailed down a place to live, I hadn't even thought about city taxes yet so that's something I will need to consider.  I've mostly been focusing on the increase in housing and taxes since that's where the biggest increases seem to be.  I do need to consider the length of my commute, although I wouldn't mind a longer commute if I can use public transit.

Anything else I should consider?

[stjr]

I've looked into the VA state taxes but, since I haven't nailed down a place to live, I hadn't even thought about city taxes yet so that's something I will need to consider.

Be aware, you may be subject to dual jurisdictions for income taxes, where you WORK AND where you LIVE.  Both could tax you although you likely would get some kind of deduction or tax credit for the other.  The real pain is filing multiple returns.  Not sure this is an issue, but you need to ask a local CPA or tax preparer.

When you see how taxes work elsewhere, you realize how lucky we are in Jax and Florida.

My experience is shopping is more expensive and more of a hassle.  Parking spaces are far harder to find at strip centers and shopping centers because I think they have older, smaller lots and the land is so expensive.  Grocery stores don't seem to be as plentiful either compared to here and food prices are generally quite a bit higher from the accumulated experiences I have.