← Rent by cityTypical monthly rent in Washington, DC, over the past three years
Rent in Washington, DC
Data as of August 2026 · Zillow Observed Rent Index
Typical rent
$2,517
1-year change
+0.3%
3-year change
+4.2%
Metro, 1-year change
+0.8%
Rents in Washington rose +0.3%, slower than the US overall (+2.5%). An increase much above +0.3% is worth questioning.
Typical rent in Washington, past 3 years
All unit sizes, monthly
Show as a table
| Month | Typical rent |
|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | $2,517 |
| Jul 2026 | $2,505 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,485 |
| May 2026 | $2,471 |
| Apr 2026 | $2,457 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,448 |
| Feb 2026 | $2,438 |
| Jan 2026 | $2,436 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,437 |
| Nov 2025 | $2,461 |
| Oct 2025 | $2,482 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,503 |
| Aug 2025 | $2,508 |
| Jul 2025 | $2,512 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,510 |
| May 2025 | $2,506 |
| Apr 2025 | $2,502 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,495 |
| Feb 2025 | $2,481 |
| Jan 2025 | $2,464 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,459 |
| Nov 2024 | $2,465 |
| Oct 2024 | $2,475 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,482 |
| Aug 2024 | $2,480 |
| Jul 2024 | $2,472 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,456 |
| May 2024 | $2,431 |
| Apr 2024 | $2,413 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,393 |
| Feb 2024 | $2,382 |
| Jan 2024 | $2,371 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,378 |
| Nov 2023 | $2,395 |
| Oct 2023 | $2,414 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,422 |
| Aug 2023 | $2,416 |
Estimated typical rent by size
| Studio | $2,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,500 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,080 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,350 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,560 |
City typical rent × DC bedroom ratios from the Census American Community Survey. Rough guide only.
Check your own increase
ZIP-level trends can differ a lot from the city average.
By ZIP code
| ZIP | Typical rent | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| 20001 | $2,654 | +0.4% |
| 20002 | $2,465 | +0.8% |
| 20003 | $2,536 | −1.2% |
| 20004 | $2,829 | – |
| 20005 | $2,662 | +1.0% |
| 20006 | $1,974 | – |
| 20007 | $2,542 | +1.0% |
| 20008 | $2,225 | −1.9% |
| 20009 | $2,739 | +0.5% |
| 20010 | $2,447 | +0.9% |
| 20011 | $2,289 | +1.2% |
| 20012 | $2,223 | +1.6% |
| 20015 | $2,319 | −0.6% |
| 20016 | $2,832 | −1.4% |
| 20017 | $2,447 | +3.2% |
| 20018 | $2,084 | −0.4% |
| 20019 | $1,835 | +8.3% |
| 20020 | $2,060 | +3.6% |
| 20024 | $2,403 | −0.6% |
| 20032 | $1,594 | +6.6% |
| 20036 | $2,603 | +0.6% |
| 20037 | $2,768 | −0.4% |
Negotiating a renewal in Washington
- Check your own ZIP, not just the city: in Washington, ZIP-level changes over the past year range from −1.9% to +8.3%.
- Start 60–90 days before your lease ends, before you're short on time to look elsewhere.
- Lead with wanting to stay, then the numbers: your increase next to the local trend, with the source named.
- Name a specific number, and offer something in return, like a longer lease, if you can.
- Get any agreement in writing before you sign the renewal.