How many renters in Washington, DC pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Washington, DC, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

46.6% (±1.3 points) of renting households in Washington, DC spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

36.6% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 28.6% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 46.6% (±1.3 points)
Paying 35% or more: 36.6% (±1.0 points)
Median share of income: 28.6% (±0.4 points)

Rent as a share of income in Washington

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Washington	District of Columbia	United States
Less than 15%	14.1% (±0.8 points)	14.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	13.5% (±0.8 points)	13.5%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	13.6% (±0.8 points)	13.6%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	12.1% (±0.7 points)	12.1%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	10.0% (±0.8 points)	10.0%	9.2%
35% or more	36.6% (±1.0 points)	36.6%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Washington against District of Columbia, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Washington	District of Columbia	United States
Paying 30% or more	46.6% (±1.3 points)	46.6% (±1.3 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	36.6% (±1.0 points)	36.6% (±1.0 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	28.6% (±0.4 points)	28.6% (±0.4 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$76,809 (±$1,890)	$76,809 (±$1,890)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,954 (±$26)	$1,954 (±$26)	$1,413

In Washington, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from District of Columbia (46.6%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Washington

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Washington
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Washington	—	46.6% (±1.3 points)	—
Mount Rainier	3.8 mi	44.3% (±10.2 points)	Not measurably different
Colmar Manor	4.2 mi	18.3% (±15.6 points)	Lower
Brentwood	4.2 mi	57.7% (±18.8 points)	Not measurably different
Cottage City	4.3 mi	57.4% (±22.7 points)	Not measurably different
North Brentwood	4.5 mi	42.6% (±36.9 points)	Not measurably different
Chillum	4.8 mi	47.9% (±7.1 points)	Not measurably different
Arlington	4.9 mi	40.1% (±1.8 points)	Lower
Hyattsville	5.1 mi	57.4% (±9.9 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Colmar Manor, MD (18.3%), Arlington, VA (40.1%).

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Hyattsville, MD (57.4%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Washington

Are renters in Washington rent-burdened?

46.6% of renting households in Washington pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Washington spend on rent?

The median renting household in Washington, DC spends 28.6% (±0.4 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Washington city, District of Columbia (place:50000, in state:11).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.