How much does smoking cost in District of Columbia? (2026)
$14.03
average pack in District of Columbia (Jan 2026), #2 most expensive of 51. State excise $4.50 + federal $1.01.
$5,121a year for a pack a day
6.2%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$69,107roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real District of Columbia prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $39,431 | $82,051 |
| 2006 | $62,842 | $233,647 |
| 1996 | $75,281 | $356,749 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in District of Columbia
| 1970 | $0.33 |
| 1980 | $0.69 |
| 1990 | $1.43 |
| 2000 | $3.55 |
| 2010 | $7.13 |
| 2020 | $9.87 |
| 2026 | $14.03 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In District of Columbia, 9.5% of adults smoke, down from 20.8% in 2011. 15.6% are former smokers: more people in District of Columbia have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.