Washington, DC at a glance
Median household income
$109,870$9,156 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Washington, DC? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,953 | $23,436 | $78,120 | 21.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,015 | $24,180 | $80,600 | 22% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,246 | $26,952 | $89,840 | 24.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,835 | $34,020 | $113,400 | 31% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,332 | $39,984 | $133,280 | 36.4% |
What a typical income covers in Washington, DC
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $109,870 a year ($9,156 a month before tax).
What $109,870 leaves after District of Columbia taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and District of Columbia tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in District of Columbia
Living in Washington, DC: common questions
What is the median household income in Washington, DC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington, DC is $109,870 per year (approximately $9,156 per month).
What is the average rent in Washington, DC?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,953 for a studio, $2,015 for one bedroom, $2,246 for two, $2,835 for three and $3,332 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Washington, DC expensive to live in?
Prices there run 8.9% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 108.9, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Washington, DC?
To keep a $2,246 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $89,840 a year, or $7,487 a month. That is 82% of what the typical household in Washington, DC earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Washington, DC?
On the local median income of $109,870 ($9,156 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,578 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,747 for everything else and $1,831 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,246 takes 49% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Washington, DC?
Homes in District of Columbia paid 24.4¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $220. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.