Federal job cuts have had a significant impact on residents of the Washington, D.C. area, according to a new survey by Gallup and the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Many individuals who once worked for the federal government or in related fields have faced financial hardship, housing challenges, and even the possibility of leaving the region. Sam Trumbull, a former public assistance policy writer, lost her job and had to seek public assistance to support her family. Similarly, Amanda Nataro, who worked at USAID—one of the first targets of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—lost her job and now faces a difficult transition to a new career with a lower income. Nicoletta Barbera and her husband, who were both laid off from the U.S. Institute of Peace, are now considering leaving the area due to rising living costs and reduced salaries. The job cuts, initiated by the Trump administration and the Elon Musk-led DOGE, reshaped the federal workforce last year, leading to widespread job losses and reduced funding for many programs. The survey, released in 2026, highlights the deep impact on the greater D.C. area, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia. Despite the region's wealth, many residents now face a bleak job market and rising costs of living. Some are even considering moving away. “It wasn’t just about our jobs being gone. It was really this awful ripple effect of all these lives and destinies really disrupted,” Nataro said. The survey found that higher-income households were particularly affected by the job cuts. Nearly 58% of those earning $90,000 or more annually reported being impacted, compared to 48% of lower-income households. Sam Trumbull, who previously earned over $130,000 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, took a part-time job after her job was eliminated and faced financial strain, including a mortgage forbearance and reliance on public assistance. She and her family now earn only $2,000 a month and have accumulated debt. Meanwhile, lower-income residents also experienced hardship, with 14% of DMV residents accessing social services like food banks or job placement support for the first time in the past year. Residents across the region are expressing concern about housing and healthcare costs. About one-third of DMV residents say they are worried about paying rent or a mortgage, down from about half in 2023. Renters, Black and Hispanic adults, and lower-income residents are especially concerned. Amanda Nataro, after losing her USAID job, had to request a rent reduction and rely on food stamps and unemployment benefits. She now works in academia but with a significant pay cut. The survey also found that roughly 2 in 10 DMV residents had difficulty paying for healthcare in the past year, and some have had to make difficult choices about their health care needs to cut costs.