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Washington, DC Rent Affordability Calculator

The median rent in the Washington, DC area is $2,027 a month including utilities, which takes 19% of the median household income ($126,684). Paying it on 30% of income needs about $81,080 a year.

On $127,000 a year, 30% of income is $3,175 a month for rent. A $2,030 rent takes 19.2% of gross income; many landlords want income of 40 times the rent, $81,200.

Rent you can afford
$3,175 a month
That rent takes
19.2% of income
Income a landlord may ask for (40× rent)
$81,200

Rent you can afford in Washington, DC by income (30% rule)

IncomeAffordable rentAgainst the median rent
$40,000$1,000−50.7%
$60,000$1,500−26.0%
$80,000$2,000−1.3%
$100,000$2,50023.3%
$150,000$3,75085.0%

How this calculator works

Median gross rent and median household income for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Affordable rent is 30% of gross monthly income.

What it assumes

  • Medians across all rentals, of every size and age; new listings usually ask more.

Questions people ask

What is the average rent in Washington, DC?

The median gross rent is $2,027 a month, including utilities (Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

What salary do I need to live in Washington, DC?

To rent at the median on 30% of income, about $81,080 a year; many landlords ask for 40 times the rent, $81,080.

Is rent affordable in Washington, DC?

The median rent takes 19% of the median household income there, within the 30% guideline.

How does the cost of living in Washington, DC compare?

Overall prices are 8.9% above the US average, and housing 51.1% above (BEA, 2024).

Nearby and large metro areas

Related calculators

  • Rent Affordability CalculatorThe rent your income supports under the 30% guideline, what a given rent takes of your pay, and the income landlords often ask for, with median rents in large metro areas.
  • Washington, DC Cost of Living CalculatorPrices in the Washington, DC area are 8.9% above the US average, and housing 51.1% above (BEA, 2024). Compare a salary here with anywhere else.
  • Rent vs Buy CalculatorWhether buying or renting leaves you better off after the years you plan to stay, counting mortgage interest, tax, upkeep, selling costs and what a renter earns investing the down payment.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.