District of Columbia Residential Rent and Rental Statistics
The median monthly gross residential rent in District of Columbia was $1,603 in 2019 according to the Census ACS survey.1 Average gross rent was $1,634 in 2019. The median rent more accurately depicts rental rates in the middle of the distribution of rents and is thus preferred in the analysis below. 2020 District of Columbia median and average rent data will be released in September of 2021.
Data is also available below for District of Columbia rental vacancy rates, District of Columbia rent as a percent of median income and the fraction of renters in District of Columbia.
Real Gross Rent in District of Columbia (2019 dollars)2
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Median Gross Rent | $1,097 | +1.86% | +6.82% |
| District of Columbia Median Gross Rent | $1,603 | +3.89% | +11.24% |
District of Columbia Real Gross Rent Trends
At $1,603, real median gross rent in District of Columbia was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005. At $1,634, real average gross rent in District of Columbia was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005.
Real Gross Rent in District of Columbia: Median, Average, US Median
Real Gross Rent History for District of Columbia
| Date | US Median | District of Columbia Median | District of Columbia Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,097 | $1,603 | $1,634 |
| 2018 | $1,077 | $1,543 | $1,621 |
| 2017 | $1,043 | $1,546 | $1,602 |
| 2016 | $1,027 | $1,441 | $1,532 |
| 2015 | $1,017 | $1,503 | $1,565 |
| 2014 | $986 | $1,436 | $1,539 |
| 2013 | $953 | $1,376 | $1,470 |
| 2012 | $940 | $1,314 | $1,408 |
| 2011 | $941 | $1,313 | $1,382 |
| 2010 | $955 | $1,339 | $1,409 |
| 2009 | $960 | $1,207 | $1,321 |
| 2007 | $927 | $1,097 | $1,212 |
| 2005 | $910 | $1,040 | $1,151 |
District of Columbia Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate is the fraction of homes for rent that are not occupied.3 In 2019 the rental vacancy rate for District of Columbia was 6.96% according to Census ACS data.
Rental Vacancy Rate in District of Columbia
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5.97% | -0.18% | +0.08% |
| District of Columbia | 6.96% | +0.17% | +0.10% |
Trends in District of Columbia Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate in District of Columbia peaked in 2010 at 9.55%. Since then it has fallen by 2.59% to 6.96%. Data records for this series originated in 2005. From a 2011 post peak low of 4.94%, the rental vacancy rate has increased by 2.02%.
Rental Vacancy Rate: District of Columbia, US
Historical Rental Vacancy Rate data for District of Columbia
| Date | US | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.97% | 6.96% |
| 2018 | 6.15% | 6.79% |
| 2017 | 6.18% | 5.72% |
| 2016 | 5.89% | 6.86% |
| 2015 | 5.85% | 5.12% |
| 2014 | 6.32% | 5.41% |
| 2013 | 6.49% | 6.23% |
| 2012 | 6.77% | 5.90% |
| 2011 | 7.40% | 4.94% |
| 2010 | 8.17% | 9.55% |
| 2009 | 8.43% | 6.07% |
| 2007 | 7.87% | 5.23% |
| 2005 | 7.74% | 5.58% |
District of Columbia Rent as a Fraction of Income
Using median household income data for District of Columbia, we can calculate the fraction of income the median household would use to pay rent at the median monthly gross rent rate. For District of Columbia, median monthly gross rent as a fraction of median household income was 20.85% in 2019 according to the ACS.
District of Columbia Median Annual Rent as a Fraction of Median Household Income
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 20.03% | -0.47% | -0.40% |
| District of Columbia | 20.85% | -0.50% | -1.02% |
Trends in District of Columbia Rent as a Fraction of Income
The fraction of median District of Columbia household income required to pay median monthly gross rent peaked in 2010 (relative to the 2005 series origin) at 23.60%. Since then it has fallen by 2.76% to 20.85%.
Fraction of Income towards Rent: District of Columbia, US
Historical Data for Annual Rent as a Fraction of Income in District of Columbia
| Date | US | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20.03% | 20.85% |
| 2018 | 20.50% | 21.35% |
| 2017 | 20.13% | 21.84% |
| 2016 | 20.43% | 21.87% |
| 2015 | 20.63% | 22.48% |
| 2014 | 20.89% | 22.78% |
| 2013 | 20.78% | 23.21% |
| 2012 | 20.65% | 22.26% |
| 2011 | 20.70% | 23.12% |
| 2010 | 20.50% | 23.60% |
| 2009 | 20.12% | 21.43% |
| 2007 | 18.66% | 20.63% |
| 2005 | 18.89% | 21.14% |
Renter Fraction in District of Columbia
You can calculate the renter fraction in District of Columbia in at least two ways: by housing units or by population. I've gone with the housing units measure here. This measure looks at the number of renting households in District of Columbia as a fraction of total District of Columbia households. In 2019 58.50% of households were renters according to Census ACS data.
District of Columbia Fraction of Renters by Household Units
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 35.89% | -0.16% | -0.99% |
| District of Columbia | 58.50% | +0.78% | -2.25% |
Trends in the District of Columbia Renter Fraction
The District of Columbia household renter fraction peaked in in 2016 at 60.75% and is now 2.25% below that level. The origin year for the series is 2005.
Fraction of Renting Households: District of Columbia, US
History of District of Columbia Renter Fraction
| Date | US | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 35.89% | 58.50% |
| 2018 | 36.05% | 57.72% |
| 2017 | 36.13% | 57.79% |
| 2016 | 36.88% | 60.75% |
| 2015 | 36.97% | 60.06% |
| 2014 | 36.90% | 59.44% |
| 2013 | 36.50% | 59.32% |
| 2012 | 36.09% | 58.49% |
| 2011 | 35.42% | 58.82% |
| 2010 | 34.65% | 57.53% |
| 2009 | 34.13% | 55.22% |
| 2007 | 32.80% | 55.46% |
| 2005 | 33.10% | 57.49% |
1. Gross rent is defined as contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and fuel (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.). Because some rentals include utilities and others don't, gross rent is a way of normalizing the variability. ↩
2. Real dollars are calculated using the CPI-U less shelter series. ↩
3. The rental vacancy rate is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for rent by the sum of the renter-occupied units, vacant units that are for rent, and vacant units that have been rented but not yet occupied. ↩
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