California vs District of Columbia
California comes out ahead of District of Columbia on 223 of 418 statistics where one end is better, to 190 with 5 ties. California leads on Sports, Crime & Safety and Culture and 6 more categories. District of Columbia leads on Environment, Travel and Facts & Trivia and 2 more categories.
418 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 5 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 223
- Avg. percentile
- 52
- Categories led
- 9
- Wins
- 190
- Avg. percentile
- 46
- Categories led
- 5
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | California | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,345,844 1st of 51 | 695,980 49th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $99,122 6th of 51 | $109,870 1st of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 5.5% 50th of 51 | 6.3% 51st of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.0% 29th of 51 | 15.4% 44th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 110.7 51st of 51 | 109.9 49th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $63,028 13th of 51 | $81,872 1st of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $80,690 5th of 51 | $111,010 1st of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $2,036 51st of 51 | $1,954 49th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 432.7 44th of 51 | 803.0 51st of 51 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- SportsCalifornia · 6 statistics
- EnvironmentDistrict of Columbia · 16 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 26 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 18 statistics
- HealthCalifornia · 140 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyCalifornia · 8 statistics
- TravelDistrict of Columbia · 5 statistics
- Facts & TriviaDistrict of Columbia · 8 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 29 statistics
- LawCalifornia · 32 statistics
- PopulationDistrict of Columbia · 60 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentDistrict of Columbia · 51 statistics
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 28 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 197 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | California | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Forest AreaLumber Production by State | 31.6M acres 1st of 51 | 14.6K acres 51st of 51 |
| Average Wind SpeedWindiest States in the U.S. | 13.54 mph 50th of 51 | 31.44 mph 1st of 51 |
| Affordability RankBest States for Fishing | 50th 50th of 51 | 2nd 2nd of 51 |
| Avg. Internet SpeedAverage Internet Speed by State | 93 51st of 51 | 473.8 3rd of 51 |
| Primary Care Physicians Per 100kHealthiest States | 239 49th of 51 | 549 1st of 51 |
| % of Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 29.0% 50th of 51 | 2% tied 1st of 51 |
| Community RankBest States for Fishing | 4th 4th of 51 | 51st 51st of 51 |
| Species Diversity Rank (01-51)Most Biodiverse States | 1st 1st of 51 | 48th 48th of 51 |
| Crime Cost per CapitaMost Dangerous Cities by State | $324 3rd of 45 | $6,357 44th of 45 |
| Median Doc FeeCar Dealer Fees by State | $85.00 2nd of 51 | $800 tied 48th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate per 100kMost Dangerous Cities by State | 87 3rd of 45 | 1,047 43rd of 45 |
| % of Vascular Plant Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 30.7% 50th of 51 | 1.8% 5th of 51 |
| Chronically HomelessHomeless Population by State | 66,548 51st of 51 | 224 6th of 51 |
| % of Bird Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 4.8% 49th of 51 | 0.8% 4th of 51 |
| % of Freshwater Fish Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 50.0% 47th of 51 | 3.1% 4th of 51 |
| % of Homeless Who Are UnshelteredHomeless Population by State | 66.3% 51st of 51 | 16.0% 9th of 51 |
| % ShelteredHomeless Population by State | 33.7% 51st of 51 | 84.0% 9th of 51 |
| Domestic Violence with IPV-Related Impact in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State | 24.1% 4th of 51 | 39.2% 46th of 51 |
| Total Drug Use RateDrug Use by State | 3,147 per 100k 8th of 51 | 5,826 per 100k 50th of 51 |
| Heroin Use Past MonthDrug Use by State | 0.25% tied 6th of 51 | 0.57% 47th of 51 |
| Income ScoreSingle Mom Friendly States | 82 6th of 51 | 36.9 45th of 51 |
| Opioid Use Rate (Per 100k)Opioid Epidemic by State | 1,464.24 8th of 51 | 3,164.97 47th of 51 |
| MidwifeNursing Pay by State | $154,500 1st of 37 | $95,990 29th of 37 |
| % of Mammal Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 16.4% 48th of 50 | 2.3% 10th of 50 |
| Amphetamine Use Rate (Per 100k)Drug Use by State | 256.79 6th of 51 | 429.55 44th of 51 |
| Average Student Loan DebtDebt by State | $4,650 13th of 51 | $12,650 51st of 51 |
| Nurses per 1k PopulationNurse-Patient Ratios by State | 8.34 tied 38th of 51 | 17.59 1st of 51 |
| Single Family (Max Appraisal Fees in State)Appraisal Fees by State | $1,000 tied 42nd of 51 | $700 tied 5th of 51 |
| Entry Level SalaryCorrectional Officer Salary by State | $59,260 2nd of 51 | $33,940 38th of 51 |
| Job Hazards and Protection RankBest State To Be a Police Officer | 12th 12th of 51 | 48th 48th of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, California or District of Columbia?
- California comes out ahead of District of Columbia on 223 of 418 statistics where one end is better, to 190 with 5 ties. California leads on Sports, Crime & Safety and Culture and 6 more categories. District of Columbia leads on Environment, Travel and Facts & Trivia and 2 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, California or District of Columbia?
- California has a population of 39,345,844 (1st of 51 US states) and District of Columbia has 695,980 (49th of 51).
- How do California and District of Columbia compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: California $99,122 (6th of 51), District of Columbia $109,870 (1st of 51) among US states. District of Columbia ranks better.
- How do California and District of Columbia compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): California 5.5% (50th of 51), District of Columbia 6.3% (51st of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- Where does California beat District of Columbia most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on Total Forest Area (Lumber Production by State): 31.6M acres vs 14.6K acres; Community Rank (Best States for Fishing): 4th vs 51st; Species Diversity Rank (01-51) (Most Biodiverse States): 1st vs 48th.
- Where does District of Columbia beat California most clearly?
- District of Columbia ranks far ahead on Average Wind Speed (Windiest States in the U.S.): 31.44 mph vs 13.54 mph; Affordability Rank (Best States for Fishing): 2nd vs 50th; Avg. Internet Speed (Average Internet Speed by State): 473.8 vs 93.
More matchups
Other comparisons with California or District of Columbia.
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs Florida
- Alabama vs District of Columbia
- Alaska vs District of Columbia
- Arizona vs District of Columbia
- Arkansas vs District of Columbia
- Colorado vs District of Columbia
- Connecticut vs District of Columbia
- Delaware vs District of Columbia
- District of Columbia vs Florida