Key Takeaways
- The average rent in Washington D.C. is $2,308/month
- Rent growth in Washington D.C. slows down
- Growing population and rental market
- Seasonal fluctuations affect rental market
- Empty offices are being converted into co-living apartments
Whether you are planning to move to or already live in the District, it’s important to know what is happening in the Washington D.C. rental market in 2025 to be prepared. Read about the outlook and current trends of the rental market in Washington D.C. to make an informed move.
Current Rent Prices in Washington D.C.
The average rent in Washington D.C. is $2,308/month. Even though the average rent is 42 percent higher than the national average, there are a plethora of opportunities in the city (professional and entertainment) that make it worth the cost for many. If you’re looking for cheaper places to live, check out the most affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C.
Here are the current average rent prices in Washington D.C. as of May 29, 2025:
|
Bedrooms |
Average Rent |
|
Studio |
$1,874 |
|
One-bedroom |
$2,308 |
|
Two-bedroom |
$3,173 |
|
Three-bedroom |
$4,066 |
Rent Growth in Washington D.C. Slows Down
CoStar News reported that Washington D.C. rent continued to climb, even with all of the changes that took place in D.C. at the beginning of the year. On January 20, 2025, the average rent for an 870-square foot apartment was $2,245/month and on February 20 it increased to $2,253/month.
Recent updates show that rent growth has begun leveling off. Most of last year, rent growth in the District closely followed the larger metro Washington area. The District rent growth rate has slowed while the regional rate keeps rising.
Between January 20 and April 15, rent in the Washington region rose by 1.2 percent while apartment rents in D.C. only increased by 0.4 percent. During the same time last year, rents in the Washington metro area increased by 1.7 percent while the District grew by 1 percent.
Growing Population and Rental Market
The high amount of new construction in the market, primarily in H Street/NoMa and Southwest/Navy Yard, is a contributing factor to the slower rent growth in the District. The vacancy rate was 8.9 percent on May 29, 2025, an increase from April 16 when it was 8.4 percent.
This increase in new construction is in response to the growing population of Washington D.C. The District increased by 15,000 residents between July 2023 and 2024. When looking at the total population change by metro area in the same period, the Washington D.C. metro area is in the top five for population growth — it has gained 90,000 residents in that period.
Seasonal Fluctuations Affect Rental Market
The rental market in Washington D.C. is more active during the first half of the year. This is largely because people tend to move to Washington D.C. in the first half of the year. New graduates, interns, professionals, and those interested in the city’s history, cultural attractions, and schools, flock to the city. It slows down in the second half of the year, with August and September being the slowest months.
Empty Offices Converted into Flourishing Co-living Apartments
As office buildings sit empty after the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work, converting these offices into co-living apartments is gaining momentum. The aim is to create more cost-effective housing, revitalize downtown business districts, and help deal with rising housing costs.
Several office buildings have already been acquired by developers to turn into co-living housing. So, keep your eye on those empty offices as they may soon turn into lively apartment communities.
Plan Your Move on Apartments.com
If you are thinking about moving to Washington D.C., use the Cost of Living Calculator to see how much you would need to make to maintain your current lifestyle. Just set the “Destination city” as Washington D.C., input where you currently live into “Starting city,” and fill out your current pre-tax income.
Once you hit the “Compare cities” button, you’ll see how much you will need to make to maintain a similar standard of living. Dive deeper into the comparison by checking out the percentage difference in average rent and cost of living. Get a glimpse of your future in Washington D.C. with the Cost of Living Calculator on Apartments.com!
FAQs
What is a comfortable salary to live on in Washington D.C.?
The average rent in Washington D.C. is $2,308/month. If you spend 30 percent of your income on rent, you need to make $7,693 a month or $92,316 a year.
Is it cheaper to rent or own in Washington D.C.?
It is cheaper to rent in Washington DC as the median home price in Washington D.C. is $629,900. If you put down 20 percent and have a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate of 6.86 percent, your monthly payment would be about $3,310. If you spent 28 percent of your income on a mortgage, you would have to make $142,000 a year.
Comparatively, the average rent in Washington D.C. is $2,308/month. You would need to make $92,316 a year in order to rent comfortably in the District.
Is Washington D.C. expensive to live in?
Washington D.C. has a cost of living 45.3 percent higher than the national average. So, some goods and services will definitely cost a bit more, like groceries. To help combat high costs, there are apartments with rent control in Washington D.C.
