Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$109,870$9,156 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Washington, DC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Washington, DC
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| 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% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Washington, DC
Based on the local median household income of $109,870/year ($9,156/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in District of Columbia
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and District of Columbia state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across District of Columbia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Washington, DC
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?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Washington, DC are $1,953 for a studio, $2,015 for 1 bedroom, $2,246 for 2 bedrooms, $2,835 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,332 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Washington, DC compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Washington, DC is 108.9 (8.9% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Washington, DC?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,246/month) in Washington, DC requires a minimum gross household income of $89,840 per year ($7,487 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Washington, DC?
For a typical household earning the median income of $109,870/year ($9,156/month) in Washington, DC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,578/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,747/month to discretionary spending, and $1,831/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Washington, DC?
Residential electricity rates in District of Columbia average 24.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $220 per month.