Rent vs Buy Calculator — Washington, DC
Prefilled with Washington estimates: a ~$620,000 home (about $124,000 for 20% down) versus ~$2,400/mo rent. District of Columbia's effective property tax of 0.57% — well below the U.S. average (~1.1%) — adds roughly $3,534/yr, and typical homeowners insurance runs about $1,500/yr. Adjust every field to your actual home below.
Is it better to rent or buy in Washington?
There's no universal answer — it hinges on how long you'll stay, what you'd earn investing the down payment instead, and District of Columbia's tax and insurance costs. Property tax is the biggest local lever: at 0.57% on a $620,000 home that's about $3,534 every year, before insurance and maintenance. Use the break-even readout above to see the year buying pulls ahead, and the appreciation rate that flips the decision.
What makes Washington, DC different
- Median home price estimate: $620,000
- Typical monthly rent estimate: $2,400
- District of Columbia effective property tax: 0.57% (~$3,534/yr here)
- District of Columbia avg. homeowners insurance: $1,500/yr
Starting estimates as of 2026-01 — see the methodology & sources.