District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,286. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities, without paying more than 30% of income on housing, a household must earn $4,287 monthly or $51,440 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $24.73.
In District of Columbia, a minimum wage worker earns an hourly wage of $7.00. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage earner must work 141 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or, a household must include 3.5 minimum wage earner(s) working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two bedroom FMR affordable.
In District of Columbia, the estimated mean (average) wage for a renter is $21.37 an hour. In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 46 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or, working 40 hours per week year-round, a household must include 1.2 worker(s) earning the mean renter wage in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.
Monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for an individual are $603 in District of Columbia. If SSI represents an individual's sole source of income, $181 in monthly rent is affordable, while the FMR for a one-bedroom is $1,134.
A unit is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the renter's income.
For an explanation of these data, see How to use the Numbers / Where the Numbers Come From.
If necessary, use the scroll bar at the bottom of the table to view additional jurisdictions.
| District of Columbia | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HMFA * | District of Columbia * | |
| Number of Households (2000) | |||
| Total | 248,338 | 248,338 | 248,338 |
| Renter | 147,122 | 147,122 | 147,122 |
| % Renter | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| 2006 Area Median Income1 | |||
| Annual | $90,300 | $90,300 | $90,300 |
| Monthly | $7,525 | $7,525 | $7,525 |
| 30% of AMI2 | $27,090 | $27,090 | $27,090 |
| Maximum Affordable3 Monthly Housing Cost by % of Family AMI | |||
| 30% | $677 | $677 | $677 |
| 50% | $1,129 | $1,129 | $1,129 |
| 80% | $1,806 | $1,806 | $1,806 |
| 100% | $2,258 | $2,258 | $2,258 |
| 2007 Fair Market Rent (FMR)4 | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $995 | $995 | $995 |
| One-Bedroom | $1,134 | $1,134 | $1,134 |
| Two-Bedroom | $1,286 | $1,286 | $1,286 |
| Three-Bedroom | $1,659 | $1,659 | $1,659 |
| Four-Bedroom | $2,171 | $2,171 | $2,171 |
| % Change from 2000 Base Rent to 2007 FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| One-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Two-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Three-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Four-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Annual Income Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $39,800 | $39,800 | $39,800 |
| One-Bedroom | $45,360 | $45,360 | $45,360 |
| Two-Bedroom | $51,440 | $51,440 | $51,440 |
| Three-Bedroom | $66,360 | $66,360 | $66,360 |
| Four-Bedroom | $86,840 | $86,840 | $86,840 |
| Percent of Family AMI Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 44% | 44% | 44% |
| One-Bedroom | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Two-Bedroom | 57% | 57% | 57% |
| Three-Bedroom | 73% | 73% | 73% |
| Four-Bedroom | 96% | 96% | 96% |
| 2006 Renter Household Income | |||
| Estimated Median5 | $35,449 | $35,449 | $35,449 |
| Percent Needed to Afford 2 BR FMR | 145% | 145% | 145% |
| Rent Affordable at Median | $886 | $886 | $886 |
| % Renters Unable to Afford 2 BR FMR6 | 64% | 64% | 64% |
| 2005 Renter Wage | |||
| Estimated Mean Renter Wage7 | $21.37 | $21.37 | $21.37 |
| Rent Affordable at Mean Wage | $1,111 | $1,111 | $1,111 |
| 2006 Minimum Wage | |||
| Minimum Wage | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Rent Affordable at Minimum Wage | $364 | $364 | $364 |
| 2006 Supplemental Security Income | |||
| Monthly SSI Payment | $603 | $603 | $603 |
| Rent Affordable at SSI | $181 | $181 | $181 |
| Housing Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $19.13 | $19.13 | $19.13 |
| One-Bedroom | $21.81 | $21.81 | $21.81 |
| Two-Bedroom | $24.73 | $24.73 | $24.73 |
| Three-Bedroom | $31.90 | $31.90 | $31.90 |
| Four-Bedroom | $41.75 | $41.75 | $41.75 |
| Housing Wage as % of Minimum Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 273% | 273% | 273% |
| One-Bedroom | 312% | 312% | 312% |
| Two-Bedroom | 353% | 353% | 353% |
| Three-Bedroom | 456% | 456% | 456% |
| Four-Bedroom | 596% | 596% | 596% |
| Housing Wage as % of Mean Renter Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| One-Bedroom | 102% | 102% | 102% |
| Two-Bedroom | 116% | 116% | 116% |
| Three-Bedroom | 149% | 149% | 149% |
| Four-Bedroom | 195% | 195% | 195% |
| Work Hours/Week at Minimum Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 109 | 109 | 109 |
| One-Bedroom | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| Two-Bedroom | 141 | 141 | 141 |
| Three-Bedroom | 182 | 182 | 182 |
| Four-Bedroom | 239 | 239 | 239 |
| Work Hours/Week at Mean Renter Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| One-Bedroom | 41 | 41 | 41 |
| Two-Bedroom | 46 | 46 | 46 |
| Three-Bedroom | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Four-Bedroom | 78 | 78 | 78 |
| Full-time Jobs at Minimum Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| One-Bedroom | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Two-Bedroom | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Three-Bedroom | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Four-Bedroom | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Full-time Jobs at Mean Renter Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| One-Bedroom | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Two-Bedroom | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Three-Bedroom | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Four-Bedroom | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| District of Columbia | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HMFA * | District of Columbia * | |
| District of Columbia | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HMFA * | District of Columbia * | |
| Number of Households (2000) | |||
| Total | 248,338 | 248,338 | 248,338 |
| Renter | 147,122 | 147,122 | 147,122 |
| % Renter | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| 2006 Area Median Income1 | |||
| Annual | $90,300 | $90,300 | $90,300 |
| Monthly | $7,525 | $7,525 | $7,525 |
| 30% of AMI2 | $27,090 | $27,090 | $27,090 |
| Maximum Affordable3 Monthly Housing Cost by % of Family AMI | |||
| 30% | $677 | $677 | $677 |
| 50% | $1,129 | $1,129 | $1,129 |
| 80% | $1,806 | $1,806 | $1,806 |
| 100% | $2,258 | $2,258 | $2,258 |
| 2007 Fair Market Rent (FMR)4 | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $995 | $995 | $995 |
| One-Bedroom | $1,134 | $1,134 | $1,134 |
| Two-Bedroom | $1,286 | $1,286 | $1,286 |
| Three-Bedroom | $1,659 | $1,659 | $1,659 |
| Four-Bedroom | $2,171 | $2,171 | $2,171 |
| % Change from 2000 Base Rent to 2007 FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| One-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Two-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Three-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Four-Bedroom | 41% | 41% | 41% |
| Annual Income Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $39,800 | $39,800 | $39,800 |
| One-Bedroom | $45,360 | $45,360 | $45,360 |
| Two-Bedroom | $51,440 | $51,440 | $51,440 |
| Three-Bedroom | $66,360 | $66,360 | $66,360 |
| Four-Bedroom | $86,840 | $86,840 | $86,840 |
| Percent of Family AMI Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 44% | 44% | 44% |
| One-Bedroom | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Two-Bedroom | 57% | 57% | 57% |
| Three-Bedroom | 73% | 73% | 73% |
| Four-Bedroom | 96% | 96% | 96% |
| 2006 Renter Household Income | |||
| Estimated Median5 | $35,449 | $35,449 | $35,449 |
| Percent Needed to Afford 2 BR FMR | 145% | 145% | 145% |
| Rent Affordable at Median | $886 | $886 | $886 |
| % Renters Unable to Afford 2 BR FMR6 | 64% | 64% | 64% |
| 2005 Renter Wage | |||
| Estimated Mean Renter Wage7 | $21.37 | $21.37 | $21.37 |
| Rent Affordable at Mean Wage | $1,111 | $1,111 | $1,111 |
| 2006 Minimum Wage | |||
| Minimum Wage | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Rent Affordable at Minimum Wage | $364 | $364 | $364 |
| 2006 Supplemental Security Income | |||
| Monthly SSI Payment | $603 | $603 | $603 |
| Rent Affordable at SSI | $181 | $181 | $181 |
| Housing Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | $19.13 | $19.13 | $19.13 |
| One-Bedroom | $21.81 | $21.81 | $21.81 |
| Two-Bedroom | $24.73 | $24.73 | $24.73 |
| Three-Bedroom | $31.90 | $31.90 | $31.90 |
| Four-Bedroom | $41.75 | $41.75 | $41.75 |
| Housing Wage as % of Minimum Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 273% | 273% | 273% |
| One-Bedroom | 312% | 312% | 312% |
| Two-Bedroom | 353% | 353% | 353% |
| Three-Bedroom | 456% | 456% | 456% |
| Four-Bedroom | 596% | 596% | 596% |
| Housing Wage as % of Mean Renter Wage | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| One-Bedroom | 102% | 102% | 102% |
| Two-Bedroom | 116% | 116% | 116% |
| Three-Bedroom | 149% | 149% | 149% |
| Four-Bedroom | 195% | 195% | 195% |
| Work Hours/Week at Minimum Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 109 | 109 | 109 |
| One-Bedroom | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| Two-Bedroom | 141 | 141 | 141 |
| Three-Bedroom | 182 | 182 | 182 |
| Four-Bedroom | 239 | 239 | 239 |
| Work Hours/Week at Mean Renter Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| One-Bedroom | 41 | 41 | 41 |
| Two-Bedroom | 46 | 46 | 46 |
| Three-Bedroom | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Four-Bedroom | 78 | 78 | 78 |
| Full-time Jobs at Minimum Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| One-Bedroom | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Two-Bedroom | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Three-Bedroom | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Four-Bedroom | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Full-time Jobs at Mean Renter Wage Needed to Afford FMR | |||
| Zero-Bedroom | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| One-Bedroom | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Two-Bedroom | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Three-Bedroom | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Four-Bedroom | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| District of Columbia | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HMFA * | District of Columbia * | |
If necessary, use the scroll bar to view additional jurisdictions.
| C H A R T F O O T N O T E S | |
|---|---|
| 1. | HUD, 2006. |
| 2. | Annual income of 30% of AMI or less is the federal standard for Extremely Low Income households. Does not include HUD-specific adjustments. |
| 3. | "Affordable" rents represent the generally accepted standard of spending not more than 30% of income on housing costs. |
| 4. | HUD, 2006; final as of October 1. |
| 5. | Census 2000 median renter household income, adjusted to a 2006 value using HUD's income adjustment factor. |
| 6. | Estimated by comparing the percent of renter median household income required to afford the two-bedroom FMR to the percent distribution of renter household income as a percent of the median within the state, as measured using 2005 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample. States are the most local level for which these data are available. |
| 7. | Estimated mean renter wage is based on BLS data and adjusted using the ratio of renter to total household income reported in Census 2000. |
| * | 50th percentile FMR (See Appendix B). |
| † | BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Data Unavailable (See Appendix A). |
| For a listing of towns within FMR areas in New England States, see Appendix C. | |
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