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Best Cities for Rental Property in DC

1 DC cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across DC markets is 2.7%, with median home prices averaging $570K and rents averaging $2,330/mo. Washington leads with a 2.7% cap rate at a $570K median price. Property taxes average 1.10% across DC markets.

2.7%
Avg Cap Rate
$570K
Avg Price
$2,330/mo
Avg Rent
1
Cities Tracked

DC Rental Market Analysis

DC offers 1 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 2.7% is near the 3.81% national average. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: DC home prices average $570K, which is 71% above the national average of $333K. Rents average $2,330/mo.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 1.10% across DC, above the 1.08% national average — investors should model tax expense carefully. Washington has the lowest rate at 1.1%.Vacancy averages 5.5%, tighter than the national average — favorable for landlords.

Growth outlook: Population growth across DC averages 0.90% per year, led by Washington at 0.9%. Home values are appreciating at 2.7% annually on average. Moderate growth provides a stable demand foundation.

Bottom line: DC is primarily an appreciation market. Cash flow investing requires below-median purchases or value-add strategies. Consider whether the growth and appreciation potential justifies tighter margins.

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How DC Compares to National Averages

Metric
DC
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
2.7%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$570K
$333K
Avg Rent
$2,330/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
1.10%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
5.5%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.90%/yr
0.92%/yr

DC Cities by Cap Rate Tier

Below 3% (1)

All 1 DC Cities Ranked

1
Washington, DC2.7% cap rate
$570K median$2,330/mo rent1.1% tax0.9% growth

Other South States

Mississippi (9 cities · 6.3% avg)Louisiana (13 cities · 5.9% avg)West Virginia (10 cities · 5.9% avg)Alabama (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Oklahoma (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Georgia (26 cities · 5.0% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DC a good state for rental property investing?
DC has an average cap rate of 2.7% across 1 cities. The best-performing city is Washington at 2.7%. Average home prices of $570K are above the national average. Property taxes at 1.10% are moderate.
What is the best city to buy rental property in DC?
Washington leads DC with a 2.7% cap rate, $570K median price, and $2,330/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Washington (0.9% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in DC?
Property taxes in DC average 1.10%, which is above the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Washington at 1.1%. On an average-priced home of $570K, annual taxes are approximately $6,270.
How many DC cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 1 DC cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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