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General Internal Medicine Physicians Salary in District of Columbia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a General Internal Medicine Physicians salary really buy you in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia is 16.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$223,250
Median annual (2025)
-14.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$191,466
COL-adjusted (RPP=116.6)

District of Columbia Cost of Living Index

District of Columbia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 116.6, meaning prices are 16.6% higher the national average. A General Internal Medicine Physicians earning $223,250 in District of Columbia has the equivalent purchasing power of $191,466 in an average-cost US state.

DC: 116.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $48,710 $41,775 $-6,934
25th Percentile (P25) $48,760 $41,818 $-6,941
Median (P50) $223,250 $191,466 $-31,783
75th Percentile (P75) $223,610 $191,775 $-31,834
90th Percentile (P90) $513,990 $440,814 $-73,175
Key Insight

While $223,250 sounds high, District of Columbia's elevated cost of living erases 14% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $191,466. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

District of Columbia Is a High-Cost State

RPP 116.6

District of Columbia's RPP of 116.6 puts it 16.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A General Internal Medicine Physicians needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

-14.2%

Adjusting $223,250 for District of Columbia's cost of living yields $191,467 — a 14.2% loss in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#37 / 44

District of Columbia ranks #37 of 44 — bottom quartile for General Internal Medicine Physicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for General Internal Medicine Physicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does General Internal Medicine Physicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Georgia
$444,112
RPP 95.8
$397,789
RPP 92.3
3. Idaho
$387,135
RPP 91.8
$384,081
RPP 93.6
$382,497
RPP 97.7
$381,510
RPP 88.7
$372,978
RPP 87.3
$362,454
RPP 104.7
9. Alaska
$358,901
RPP 102.0
10. Alabama
$354,419
RPP 87.8

District of Columbia ranks #37 out of 44 states for General Internal Medicine Physicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See General Internal Medicine Physicians take-home pay in District of Columbia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a General Internal Medicine Physicians in District of Columbia after cost of living?

A General Internal Medicine Physicians in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $223,250 per year. After adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living (RPP=116.6), the real purchasing power is $191,466 — a -14.2% difference.

Is District of Columbia expensive to live in?

District of Columbia's cost of living is 16.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for District of Columbia is 116.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a General Internal Medicine Physicians in District of Columbia: $223,250 x (100 / 116.6) = $191,466. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in District of Columbia offset the salary?

Partially — a General Internal Medicine Physicians's nominal salary of $223,250 in District of Columbia has 14.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $191,466. However, District of Columbia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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