salaryWashington is the largest city in District of Columbia that we track, with 681,294 residents. Rent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 64.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $94,800 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other District of Columbia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of District of Columbia. It is number 1 of 1 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Washington with other big cities
Compare Washington to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Washington?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Washington
| Size | Washington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,841 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,045 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,192 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,634 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,545 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Washington overall?
Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Washington
Life in Washington
What jobs pay in Washington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,190 | 14.6% |
| Operations Manager | $156,460 | 18.2% |
| Software Developer | $154,930 | 18.4% |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | 18.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | 19.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | 21.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | 22.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | 23.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | 27.7% |
| Accountant | $102,140 | 27.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | 27.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $87,160 | 32.6% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 33.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,470 | 35.8% |
| Electrician | $75,930 | 37.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,860 | 37.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,920 | 39.5% |
| Plumber | $71,860 | 39.6% |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | 42.5% |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | 46.8% |
| Truck Driver | $59,820 | 47.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,640 | 61.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | 61.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,040 | 61.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 62.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,920 | 66.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,590 | 66.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,610 | 77.7% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 80.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Washington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,744 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $737,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $73,710 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Washington, DC?
Renting in Washington costs a median of about $2,370 a month in 2026, including utilities. The District of Columbia median is $2,370.
How much do I need to make to live in Washington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $94,800 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Washington cheap or expensive?
Washington is rated OK: rent takes 24.0% of the typical household income of $118,495. It ranks 1st cheapest of 1 District of Columbia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Washington?
The median homeowner in Washington pays $4,312 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Washington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Washington?
The median home value in Washington is $737,100, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
681,294 people live in Washington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.