It's a well-known fact that renters shouldn't spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Even so, it’s not uncommon to see cost-burdened renters in Washington, D.C., coughing up more than half of their salaries on housing.
RadPad reported the five most income-impacted ZIP codes in the District with all the numbers on each area's median salary, one-bedroom apartment cost, and monthly take home. The findings, previously reported on by DCist and UrbanTurf, examine thousands of active one-bedroom listings in RadPad as well as 2015 U.S. Census Data.
The highest percentage of income spent on rent was found in ZIP code 20010, which includes Columbia Heights and Park View. With a median monthly price of $2,356 for a one-bedroom apartment, this ZIP code certainly doesn’t have the highest rents in the city, but with a median salary of $66,859, that causes the amount of income spent on rent to total 62 percent.
Two ZIP codes that cause residents to spend an average of 53 percent of their income on rent are 20005 and 20032. These ZIP codes include Logan Circle and parts of Metro Center as well as Congress Heights and Washington Highlands. Despite having the same percentage, the median salaries in the areas vary from $34,060 in ZIP code 20032 to $81,736 in ZIP code 20005.
In RadPad’s report, the least income-impacted ZIP codes included 20004, 20015, and 20016. Renters in these areas spend a median of 20 percent, 20 percent, and 29 percent of their salaries on rent, respectively. 20004 encompasses the Palisades, Cathedral Heights and American University Park. 20015 is host to Friendship Heights and Chevy Chase. Finally, 20016 features Penn Quarter and parts of Metro Center.
For a more thorough breakdown of the numbers, salaries, and ZIP codes, check out RadPad’s report here.