Cost of living in Washington, DC — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Washington, DC is $580,173 as of 2026-04. That places Washington above the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 163 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Washington has fallen 3.0%, and over the past five years it has averaged -1.7% annual growth. The current price sits -12.5% from its 5-year peak in 2022-06.

Renters pay a median of $2,472 per month in Washington. Rents have changed -1.8% over the last year and averaged +3.5% per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Washington are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.