ZIP Code · DC

ZIP 20017

Part of Washington, DC

Pop. 21,208·District of Columbia·13th most expensive ZIP in District of Columbia

Median rent (all units)

$2,394/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

+$462

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 20017 · $2,394

More expensive than 77% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,840

1 BR

$1,890

2 BR

$2,110

3 BR

$2,660

4 BR+

$3,130

Research median

$2,110/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

March. Asking rents in ZIP 20017 usually run 1.4% below trend in March and 1.4% above it in August, about $67 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 20017 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of District of Columbia

Rent in ZIP 20017 changed +2.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 21 District of Columbia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.5%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($106,300) is $2,658 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,110); a 3-bedroom is $2,660.

Rank in Washington

10th cheapest of 22 ZIP codes in Washington.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 20782, 2 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,820/mo), about $6,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 20017. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$28,728/yr

At $2,394/mo median

Location

CityWashington

StateDC

CountyDistrict of Columbia

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.8% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 20017 (Washington, DC) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 62% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,208

Median income

$106,300

Median age

36.9

Renters

42.4%

Age distribution

20.8%

24.1%

29.6%

15.7%

Under 1820.8%

18–3424.1%

35–5429.6%

55–649.8%

65+15.7%

Gender

46.7%

53.3%

Male46.7%

Female53.3%

Race & ethnicity

29.3%

51%

White29.3%

Black51%

Hispanic10.9%

Asian5.5%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

13.9%

15.7%

62%

No HS diploma8.3%

HS diploma13.9%

Some college15.7%

Bachelor's+62%

Housing tenure

57.6%

42.4%

Owner57.6%

Renter42.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 20017 in Washington, DC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,833 → $2,394

up 30.6%

Income

$92,373 → $106,300

up 15.1%

Population

20,221 → 21,208

up 4.9%

Renter share

38.9% → 42.4%

+3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

55.4% → 62%

+6.6 pts

Median age

36.1 → 36.9

+0.8 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 20017 in Washington, DC stood at $1,833 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,394, reflecting a 30.6% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $106,300 today, compared with $92,373 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 4.9% since 2021, moving from about 20,221 residents to roughly 21,208. Renters now make up 42.4% of households, compared with 38.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 62% of adults here, versus 55.4% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 20017

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 20017 covers Washington, DC. The median rent here is $2,394/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,890/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,110/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($106,300/yr), ZIP 20017 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 20017?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (about $46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,394/mo in ZIP 20017. The local median household income is $106,300/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 20017?

Rent in ZIP 20017 has risen 2.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 20017?

Asking rents in ZIP 20017 are usually lowest in March, about 1.4% below their yearly trend, and highest in August, about 1.4% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $67 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 20017 compare to other ZIPs in District of Columbia?

ZIP 20017 is in the middle among District of Columbia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #13 of 22 at $2,394/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 20017 changed +2.7%, against a typical +1.5% across the 21 District of Columbia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.