The Washington metro is home to 6,263,796 people (up 2.0% over five years), with a median household income of $123,896. Typical rent of $2,407/month works out to 23.3% of the median household income — comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Washington's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Professional & management | 22.4% |
| Education & health care | 19.4% |
| Public administration | 13.0% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 7.6% |
| Retail trade | 7.5% |
Professional & management is the metro's largest employment base; a diversified mix beneath it spreads tenant-demand risk.
Rents at 23.3% of median income leave room for rent growth without pricing out the median tenant. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Washington market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,407/month suggests a household income around $96,000/year. The metro's median household income is $123,896.
By workforce share: Professional & management (22.4%), Education & health care (19.4%), Public administration (13.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).