The Washington area is the 6th most expensive rental market in the country, with San Francisco being the most expensive according to the Center for Housing Policy. Their study notes the average two bedroom in SF rents for $1760 a month, while in Washington, it is $1494.
Astute readers will note that these averages sound more like one bedroom rents or even studios in many of the walkable neighborhoods of the urban core where rates are considerably higher.
Better news on the buying side: the study also noted that the income needed to buy a house in the Washington area fell 5 percent, from $89,674 in 2008 to $85,074 in 2009.
