Buying a home in District of Columbia

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in District of Columbia.

For home buyers in District of Columbia: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.

Effective property tax rate

0.58%

Median tax $4,312 ÷ median value $737,100 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$567,271

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-09

Transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$16,451

Total on a $567,271 home; buyer’s typical share $4,113–$8,225.

How we estimated

Recordation tax (D.C. Code §42-1103, customarily buyer) and transfer tax (D.C. Code §47-903, customarily seller), each 1.45% of the price (1.1% under $400,000; 1.45% at $400,000+). Qualifying first-time buyers may pay a reduced 0.725% recordation rate (OTR Form FP-7C); the low end of the buyer range assumes that rate and is only an approximation of eligibility. Sources: DC Office of Tax and Revenue: Recorder of Deeds FAQ · D.C. Code §42-1103. Checked 2026-10-15.

Buyer’s transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$4,113–$8,225

On a $567,271 home. Lender fees and title insurance aren’t included because we don’t have a sourced figure for them in District of Columbia. Estimate the rest.

At District of Columbia's effective rate of 0.58%, a typical $567,271 home would owe about $3,290/year ($274/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency →

Next steps

Cheapest & priciest ZIPs in District of ColumbiaZIP codes ranked by typical home value District of Columbia first-time buyer programsDown payment assistance from the state HFA Payment on a typical District of Columbia home$567,271 home at your state's tax rate Mortgage rates today30-year fixed at 7.24%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.

Common questions

What is the property tax rate in District of Columbia?

The effective property tax rate in District of Columbia is 0.58%: the median tax of $4,312 divided by the median home value of $737,100 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).

What is a typical home value in District of Columbia?

$567,271 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.

Who offers first-time homebuyer help in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.

Updated November 3, 2026. Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.

Buying a home in District of Columbia

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency

Next steps

Common questions

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