Best places to live in Washington DC

Written by:
April 16, 2024
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Best places to live in Washington DC

An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.

Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Washington D.C. using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.

Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.

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#30. Cleveland Park, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,734
- Population: 8,045
- Median household income: $160,606
- Median home value: $1,043,105 (49% own)
- Median rent: $2,160 (51% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#29. Foggy Bottom, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,660
- Population: 6,863
- Median household income: $81,054
- Median home value: $754,524 (24% own)
- Median rent: $2,049 (76% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#28. West End, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,602
- Population: 3,667
- Median household income: $121,641
- Median home value: $701,037 (48% own)
- Median rent: $2,821 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#27. Friendship Heights, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,513
- Population: 2,709
- Median household income: $181,082
- Median home value: $1,174,777 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,959 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#26. Chevy Chase, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,496
- Population: 14,741
- Median household income: $202,975
- Median home value: $1,217,660 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,973 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#25. Tenleytown, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,492
- Population: 1,717
- Median household income: $166,395
- Median home value: $1,208,083 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,861 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#24. Kalorama Heights, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,485
- Population: 2,316
- Median household income: $182,424
- Median home value: $1,107,271 (53% own)
- Median rent: $2,348 (47% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#23. Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,373
- Population: 9,597
- Median household income: $152,612
- Median home value: $963,940 (55% own)
- Median rent: $2,223 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: National Cathedral School (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+), St. Albans School (grade A+)

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#22. Bloomingdale, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,355
- Population: 6,659
- Median household income: $192,529
- Median home value: $986,404 (69% own)
- Median rent: $2,685 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+)

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#21. Golden Triangle, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,334
- Population: 2,216
- Median household income: $88,826
- Median home value: $682,439 (22% own)
- Median rent: $2,226 (78% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#20. Pleasant Plains, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,289
- Population: 5,152
- Median household income: $112,450
- Median home value: $721,008 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,976 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#19. North Cleveland Park, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,213
- Population: 4,999
- Median household income: $162,438
- Median home value: $1,018,895 (52% own)
- Median rent: $2,080 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#18. Cardozo/Shaw, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,210
- Population: 10,519
- Median household income: $145,345
- Median home value: $838,682 (41% own)
- Median rent: $2,813 (59% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#17. Foxhall Village, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,186
- Population: 2,595
- Median household income: $183,135
- Median home value: $1,265,561 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,689 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#16. Hawthorne, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,175
- Population: 1,674
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,198,186 (100% own)
- Median rent: $3,208 (% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#15. Dupont Circle, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,098
- Population: 17,928
- Median household income: $126,456
- Median home value: $756,732 (35% own)
- Median rent: $2,271 (65% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#14. Logan Circle/Shaw, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,065
- Population: 20,042
- Median household income: $138,515
- Median home value: $822,194 (32% own)
- Median rent: $2,398 (68% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#13. Woodley Park, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 1,031
- Population: 6,396
- Median household income: $147,142
- Median home value: $1,333,471 (29% own)
- Median rent: $2,294 (71% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#12. Penn Quarter, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 990
- Population: 1,805
- Median household income: $164,241
- Median home value: $648,799 (35% own)
- Median rent: $2,850 (65% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+)

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#11. McLean Gardens, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 923
- Population: 1,729
- Median household income: $137,746
- Median home value: $515,117 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,461 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#10. Chinatown, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 858
- Population: 2,925
- Median household income: $135,605
- Median home value: $595,584 (25% own)
- Median rent: $2,588 (75% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+), Episcopal High School (grade A+)

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#9. Mount Vernon Square, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 800
- Population: 10,248
- Median household income: $134,766
- Median home value: $602,033 (21% own)
- Median rent: $2,259 (79% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#8. Burleith/Hillandale, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 675
- Population: 1,815
- Median household income: $224,023
- Median home value: $1,116,919 (67% own)
- Median rent: $3,408 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#7. Cathedral Heights, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 673
- Population: 9,307
- Median household income: $127,595
- Median home value: $878,646 (54% own)
- Median rent: $2,150 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#6. Georgetown, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 630
- Population: 10,530
- Median household income: $186,682
- Median home value: $1,241,807 (65% own)
- Median rent: $2,997 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)

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#5. Downtown, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 480
- Population: 2,773
- Median household income: $161,508
- Median home value: $652,592 (43% own)
- Median rent: $2,649 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#4. Glover Park, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 418
- Population: 8,124
- Median household income: $136,016
- Median home value: $953,097 (39% own)
- Median rent: $2,477 (61% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#3. Adams Morgan, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 222
- Population: 12,263
- Median household income: $156,039
- Median home value: $748,192 (36% own)
- Median rent: $2,382 (64% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#2. Lanier Heights, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 156
- Population: 4,453
- Median household income: $131,247
- Median home value: $516,748 (25% own)
- Median rent: $2,170 (75% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

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#1. Mount Pleasant, Washington D.C.

- Overall Rank: 71
- Population: 11,213
- Median household income: $114,641
- Median home value: $881,696 (35% own)
- Median rent: $1,851 (65% rent)
- Top public schools: The School Without Walls High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School - Middle School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.

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