Studio Apartment Rent in Washington, DC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Washington, District of Columbia as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $2,532 and +66% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Washington
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Washington
Compare Washington's median rent across every apartment size.
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Washington.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chillum, MD | 4.5 mi | $1,410 | $-735 (-34%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 5 mi | $1,311 | $-834 (-39%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 5.2 mi | $2,017 | $-128 (-6%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 5.4 mi | $1,840 | $-305 (-14%) |
| Bladensburg, MD | 7.1 mi | $1,198 | $-947 (-44%) |
| Oxon Hill, MD | 7.9 mi | $1,580 | $-565 (-26%) |
| East Riverdale, MD | 8.4 mi | $1,580 | $-565 (-26%) |
| Kensington, MD | 8.8 mi | $2,080 | $-65 (-3%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 8.9 mi | $1,590 | $-555 (-26%) |
| College Park, MD | 8.9 mi | $1,722 | $-423 (-20%) |
| Bethesda, MD | 9.4 mi | $2,675 | +$530 (+25%) |
| District Heights, MD | 10.5 mi | $1,262 | $-883 (-41%) |
Studio rent in Washington — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Washington?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Washington, District of Columbia is $2,145 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $2,532.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Washington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,800 ($7,150/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.25/hour at a full-time job.
Is Washington expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Washington's studio median of $2,145 is +66% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Washington rank for studio rent in District of Columbia?
Among the 1 cities in District of Columbia with studio data, Washington ranks #1 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Washington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Chillum ($1,410), Takoma Park ($1,311), Brentwood ($2,017).