DC · Housing affordability · 2024

District of ColumbiaHousing Affordability by County

Washington DC has the most expensive homes of any US state or territory

The typical DC home costs $737,100, making it the priciest market in the country in absolute terms. Government and professional sector wages partly offset this, but housing costs are still severe.

Under pressure Population: 681,294

Among the most expensive states in the country for buyers and renters alike.

Years of income to buy a home

6.7×

▲ 61% vs US average

Typical home price

$737,100

▲ 113% vs US average

Typical monthly rent

$1,954

▲ 49% vs US average

Renters paying too much for rent

44.3%

▼ 2% vs US average

Homeowners stretched thin

19.0%

▲ 18% vs US average

Typical household income

$109,870

▲ 37% vs US average

How to read the bars: the coloured bar is DC's value; the grey tick is the US average. "Paying too much" means spending more than 30% of income on housing — the standard economic threshold for cost burden.

What the data shows

Buying a home in District of Columbia is a significant financial challenge. The typical home costs $737,100 — that's 6.7× of the typical household income of $109,870 a year. A family saving their entire income would need 6.7 years just to cover the purchase price, before factoring in mortgage interest, property taxes, or maintenance costs.

Renters face real pressure. The typical rent in District of Columbia is $1,954 a month, and 44% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing — the point at which most financial advisers say rent becomes unaffordable. That figure is 2% lower than the national average of 45%.

19.0% of District of Columbia homeowners with a mortgage spend more than 30% of their income on housing — above the national average of 16.1%.

How District of Columbia ranks nationally

Rank 1 = most expensive / highest burden. Compared against all 50 states and DC (51 in total).

Years to buy a home

3rd

of 51 states

Typical home price

2nd

of 51 states

Typical monthly rent

3rd

of 51 states

Renters paying too much

31st

of 51 states

Common questions

Is District of Columbia affordable to live in? +

Housing in District of Columbia is expensive relative to incomes. The typical home costs $737,100, which is 6.7× of the typical household income — well above the national average of around 4.2×.

What is the average rent in District of Columbia? +

The typical monthly rent in District of Columbia is $1,954, according to the 2024 American Community Survey. About 44% of DC renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in District of Columbia? +

As a rough guide, you'd need a household income of around $184,000 a year to comfortably afford the typical District of Columbia home of $737,100, assuming a 20% down payment and standard mortgage terms. The typical District of Columbia household earns $109,870 a year.

Explore District of Columbia county by county on the map

The state average is only part of the story. Drill into individual counties and census tracts to see where affordability varies most across District of Columbia.

Open DC on the map

Other states in the same tier — Under pressure