What Salary Do You Need to Live in Washington, D.C.?

To live comfortably in Washington, a household needs to earn roughly $85,000/year. That's about $7,083/month before taxes.

The Number: $85,000/year

At $85,000 per year, a household in Washington can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Washington's median monthly rent of $1,931 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Washington at a Glance

Median rent$1,931/mo
Median home price$733,400
Median household income$109,707
State income taxUp to 5.75%
Sales tax6%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Washington on roughly $55,000/year. That's about $4,583/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Washington

The median monthly rent is $1,931. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $77,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $733,400. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $146,680 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $109,707/year. Our recommended salary of $85,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.