District of Columbia Rental Market Trends
Last updated: April 23, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in District of Columbia is $2,457, a 2.83% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,529.
Studio Apartments at $1,838 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 $2,309, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,084 offer 995 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,197 sq ft) for $3,668, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in District of Columbia
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,457 | 748 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,838 | 484 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,309 | 698 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,084 | 995 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,668 | 1,197 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?
189,268 or 59% of the households in District of Columbia are renter-occupied while 132,288 or 41% are owner-occupied.
How District of Columbia Compares to Other States
| State | Average Rent | Average Apartment Size |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,318 | 991 sq. ft. |
| Arizona | $1,562 | 863 sq. ft. |
| Arkansas | $1,144 | 895 sq. ft. |
| California | $2,640 | 853 sq. ft. |
| Colorado | $1,818 | 876 sq. ft. |
| Connecticut | $2,149 | 897 sq. ft. |
| Delaware | $1,707 | 921 sq. ft. |
| District of Columbia | $2,457 | 748 sq. ft. |
| Florida | $1,971 | 982 sq. ft. |
| Georgia | $1,633 | 1,026 sq. ft. |
| Idaho | $1,670 | 929 sq. ft. |
| Illinois | $2,049 | 839 sq. ft. |
| Indiana | $1,337 | 908 sq. ft. |
| Iowa | $1,240 | 897 sq. ft. |
| Kansas | $1,323 | 909 sq. ft. |
| Kentucky | $1,324 | 932 sq. ft. |
| Louisiana | $1,259 | 924 sq. ft. |
| Maine | $2,057 | 837 sq. ft. |
| Maryland | $1,883 | 907 sq. ft. |
| Massachusetts | $2,832 | 881 sq. ft. |
| Michigan | $1,408 | 920 sq. ft. |
| Minnesota | $1,646 | 893 sq. ft. |
| Mississippi | $1,330 | 1,010 sq. ft. |
| Missouri | $1,351 | 901 sq. ft. |
| Montana | $1,697 | 886 sq. ft. |
| Nebraska | $1,351 | 934 sq. ft. |
| Nevada | $1,549 | 909 sq. ft. |
| New Hampshire | $2,146 | 877 sq. ft. |
| New Jersey | $2,414 | 871 sq. ft. |
| New Mexico | $1,404 | 836 sq. ft. |
| New York | $2,584 | 876 sq. ft. |
| North Carolina | $1,551 | 978 sq. ft. |
| North Dakota | $1,159 | 964 sq. ft. |
| Ohio | $1,337 | 901 sq. ft. |
| Oklahoma | $1,072 | 859 sq. ft. |
| Oregon | $1,742 | 845 sq. ft. |
| Pennsylvania | $1,797 | 889 sq. ft. |
| Rhode Island | $2,191 | 920 sq. ft. |
| South Carolina | $1,623 | 1,015 sq. ft. |
| South Dakota | $1,200 | 911 sq. ft. |
| Tennessee | $1,528 | 953 sq. ft. |
| Texas | $1,448 | 892 sq. ft. |
| Utah | $1,627 | 929 sq. ft. |
| Virginia | $1,993 | 923 sq. ft. |
| Washington | $2,027 | 829 sq. ft. |
| Wisconsin | $1,615 | 919 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.