Washington, D.C. Housing Market Report & Home Prices

Washington, D.C. housing market data: median home price, year-over-year appreciation, inventory, months of supply, days on market, affordability, and what it

Washington, D.C. Housing Market Report

Washington, D.C. is currently a balanced market. The median sale price sits near $618,000, up 1.1% from a year ago, with roughly 17,695 active listings and 4 months of supply. Homes are going under contract in about 39 days on average.

Washington, D.C. by the numbers

What makes the Washington, D.C. market different

Washington, D.C.'s median sale price of $618,000 is 47.4% above the $419,300 national median, which places it 5 of 51 states by price level. Year-over-year appreciation of 1.1% ranks 46 of 51, so Washington, D.C. is currently a slower-appreciating state relative to the rest of the country.

Inside the Northeast region, the median state price is $451,000, so Washington, D.C. runs 37.0% richer than its regional peers — the closest comparisons are Massachusetts at $631,000, New Jersey at $549,000, New Hampshire at $512,000, Rhode Island at $486,000. That gap matters for loan sizing: at the same rate, a Washington, D.C. file carries roughly $167,000 more balance than the regional median, which changes qualifying income and the value of a rate-and-term option.

Washington, D.C. statewide numbers hide real spread across its metros. This report tracks 1 Washington, D.C. metro: Washington, D.C. Metro ($611,000, +1.6% YoY). Price a file off the metro your borrower is actually buying in, not the state average.

Washington, D.C. vs the Northeast region and the nation

Metros tracked in Washington, D.C.

Northeast states to compare

Washington, D.C. MLO licensing guide · Wholesale lenders serving Washington, D.C.

Market analysis

Washington, D.C. is currently a balanced market. The median sale price sits near $618,000, up 1.1% from a year ago, with roughly 17,695 active listings and 4 months of supply. Homes are going under contract in about 39 days on average.

Affordability remains the binding constraint. At the current national average 30-year fixed rate near 6.42%, the typical payment on a median-priced home in Washington, D.C. runs about $4,038 per month including taxes and insurance, against a median rent near $3,590. That gap is what determines whether purchase conversations in this market start with payment, with price, or with a buydown structure.

Supply is close to balance, with price reductions on about 29% of active listings. Builder incentives are selective, and permits are running near 19,589 annualized units.

For originators, the practical read is this: buyers have negotiating room again, so seller-paid temporary buydowns and closing cost credits are the highest-leverage tools in your kit.

Washington, D.C. housing market questions

Is Washington, D.C. a buyer's or seller's market?

Washington, D.C. currently reads as a balanced market with 4 months of supply. Balanced is generally considered four to six months, so this market is close to balance.

What is the median home price in Washington, D.C.?

The median sale price is approximately $618,000 as of 7/24/2026, up 1.1% from a year earlier.

Are home prices falling in Washington, D.C.?

No. Median prices are up about 1.1% year over year, though the pace of appreciation has slowed considerably from the 2021 peak.

How much do I need to buy a home in Washington, D.C.?

The typical down payment on a closed transaction is near $83,010, and the resulting payment at the current national average 30-year fixed rate is roughly $4,038 per month including taxes and insurance. Low-down-payment FHA, VA, and conventional 3% options can materially reduce the cash required.

What is the housing market forecast for Washington, D.C.?

Our directional 12-month range is -0.5% to +2.9% on median price. Confidence is moderate; the rate path is the dominant variable.

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