District of Columbia Rental Market Trends
Last updated: July 02, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in District of Columbia is $2,470, a 2.67% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,538.
Studio Apartments at $1,837 offer the most budget-friendly option with 484 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 698 square feet for $2,327, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,111 offer 996 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,196 sq ft) for $3,655, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in District of Columbia
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,470 | 747 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,837 | 484 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,327 | 698 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,111 | 996 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,655 | 1,196 sq. ft. |
District of Columbia rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in District of Columbia?
The largest share of rentals in District of Columbia (28%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in District of Columbia?
189,808 or 58% of the households in District of Columbia are renter-occupied while 134,683 or 42% are owner-occupied.
How District of Columbia Compares to Other States
| State | Average Rent | Average Apartment Size |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,324 | 992 sq. ft. |
| Arizona | $1,563 | 864 sq. ft. |
| Arkansas | $1,150 | 895 sq. ft. |
| California | $2,666 | 853 sq. ft. |
| Colorado | $1,838 | 875 sq. ft. |
| Connecticut | $2,176 | 897 sq. ft. |
| Delaware | $1,714 | 921 sq. ft. |
| District of Columbia | $2,470 | 747 sq. ft. |
| Florida | $1,981 | 983 sq. ft. |
| Georgia | $1,640 | 1,027 sq. ft. |
| Idaho | $1,684 | 932 sq. ft. |
| Illinois | $2,064 | 840 sq. ft. |
| Indiana | $1,344 | 909 sq. ft. |
| Iowa | $1,239 | 895 sq. ft. |
| Kansas | $1,333 | 909 sq. ft. |
| Kentucky | $1,336 | 934 sq. ft. |
| Louisiana | $1,240 | 916 sq. ft. |
| Maine | $2,057 | 837 sq. ft. |
| Maryland | $1,894 | 908 sq. ft. |
| Massachusetts | $2,876 | 880 sq. ft. |
| Michigan | $1,423 | 920 sq. ft. |
| Minnesota | $1,665 | 893 sq. ft. |
| Mississippi | $1,329 | 1,010 sq. ft. |
| Missouri | $1,364 | 902 sq. ft. |
| Montana | $1,722 | 887 sq. ft. |
| Nebraska | $1,365 | 931 sq. ft. |
| Nevada | $1,558 | 910 sq. ft. |
| New Hampshire | $2,187 | 877 sq. ft. |
| New Jersey | $2,429 | 871 sq. ft. |
| New Mexico | $1,419 | 835 sq. ft. |
| New York | $2,692 | 872 sq. ft. |
| North Carolina | $1,564 | 978 sq. ft. |
| North Dakota | $1,178 | 965 sq. ft. |
| Ohio | $1,356 | 900 sq. ft. |
| Oklahoma | $1,076 | 859 sq. ft. |
| Oregon | $1,753 | 845 sq. ft. |
| Pennsylvania | $1,816 | 889 sq. ft. |
| Rhode Island | $2,212 | 915 sq. ft. |
| South Carolina | $1,636 | 1,015 sq. ft. |
| South Dakota | $1,208 | 913 sq. ft. |
| Tennessee | $1,548 | 953 sq. ft. |
| Texas | $1,452 | 892 sq. ft. |
| Utah | $1,653 | 930 sq. ft. |
| Virginia | $2,018 | 923 sq. ft. |
| Washington | $2,043 | 829 sq. ft. |
| Wisconsin | $1,633 | 920 sq. ft. |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all District of Columbia apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.