RealHomeCost.net

District of Columbia, DC Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in District of Columbia with local property tax rates, homeowners insurance, and 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits.

Local Home Values & Affordability

With a median home value of $640,000, District of Columbia is 106% above the national median of $310,000 — placing it firmly in premium territory where careful loan-type selection matters.

A 20% down payment on a median District of Columbia home requires $128,000 in cash — or $22,400 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.

Property Tax in This Market

District of Columbia has one of the lowest property tax rates in our dataset at 0.56% — 49% below the national average of 1.10%. This keeps monthly PITI payments notably lower than in high-tax markets with comparable home values.

Based on the 0.56% effective rate and a median home value of $640,000, a typical homeowner in District of Columbia pays approximately $3,584 in annual property taxes — or $299 per month added to their mortgage payment.

Sources: Tax Foundation 2025

Homeowners Insurance Costs

Homeowners insurance in District of Columbia runs approximately $1,600/year ($133/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.

Premium quotes in District of Columbia typically range from $1,100 to $2,400 per year depending on home age, construction type, coverage limits, and your insurer. Always get multiple quotes.

Sources: NAIC 2024

Loan Limits & Financing Options

A buyer purchasing the median District of Columbia home ($640,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $617,600 — well within the $1,249,125 elevated FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.

District of Columbia is designated a high-cost area by both FHFA and HUD, meaning local FHA and conforming limits are elevated above the national baseline. This expanded purchasing power is a meaningful benefit for buyers compared to most-of-the-country baseline markets.

With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $512,000 stays $737,125 below the $1,249,125 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.

Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026

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≈ $128,000

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Illustrative — check with your lender

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Extra Monthly Payment

$

Estimated Monthly Payment

$3,821

Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend.

FHA Eligible

Loan Amount: $512,000

LTV: 0.01%

P&I Payment

$3,389

Total Interest

$708,102

over loan life

Payoff

30 yr

Closing Costs

$12,591–$23,503

est. range

Monthly Payment Breakdown

2026 Loan Limit Context

FHA Limit

$1,249,125

Conforming Limit

$1,249,125

Amortization Schedule

Mo.PaymentPrincipalInterestBalanceTotal Interest
1$3,389$424$2,965$511,576$2,965
2$3,389$426$2,963$511,150$5,928
3$3,389$429$2,960$510,721$8,889
4$3,389$431$2,958$510,290$11,847
5$3,389$434$2,955$509,856$14,802
6$3,389$436$2,953$509,420$17,755
7$3,389$439$2,950$508,981$20,705
8$3,389$441$2,948$508,540$23,653
9$3,389$444$2,945$508,096$26,598
10$3,389$446$2,943$507,649$29,541
11$3,389$449$2,940$507,200$32,481
12$3,389$452$2,938$506,749$35,419
Months 112 of 360

2026 Loan Limits — District of Columbia, DC

Limit Type2026 LimitNote
FHA Loan Limit (1-unit)$1,209,750Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage
Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit)$1,209,750Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible

Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.

FAQ — District of Columbia Mortgage

What is the property tax rate in District of Columbia?
The effective property tax rate in District of Columbia is approximately 0.56%. This means a home worth $640,000 would have an estimated annual tax bill of about $3,584.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in District of Columbia?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for a single-family home in District of Columbia, DC is $1,209,750.
What is the conforming loan limit in District of Columbia?
The 2026 conforming loan limit in District of Columbia is $1,209,750. Loans above this amount are considered jumbo loans.
Why are Washington DC mortgage limits at the national ceiling?
Washington DC is a high-cost area by both HUD and FHFA designations. Median home prices in DC significantly exceed the national conforming baseline, so the 2026 FHA limit and conforming limit are both at $1,249,125 — the national ceiling. This allows buyers in the DC market to access FHA and conventional financing on homes that would require jumbo loans in most other markets.
What is DC's Recordation Tax and how does it affect closing costs?
DC charges both a Recordation Tax (buyer) and a Transfer Tax (seller) on all real estate transactions. For most residential purchases, the combined rate is 2.2% of the purchase price — one of the highest combined transfer/recordation rates in the country. On a $600,000 purchase, this adds $13,200 to closing costs for the buyer alone. First-time homebuyer exemptions may apply for purchases under a certain threshold.
What does PITI mean and why does it matter in District of Columbia?
PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the four components of a full monthly mortgage payment. Lenders qualify you based on your total PITI payment, not just principal and interest. In District of Columbia, property taxes and insurance can add hundreds of dollars per month to your P&I payment, so it's essential to use a calculator that includes all four components.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in District of Columbia?
Most conventional lenders require a minimum 620 credit score, though the best rates go to borrowers with 740+. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or 500–579 with 10% down. VA loans have no official minimum but most lenders want 580–620. Your credit score affects both loan eligibility and the interest rate you receive — a difference of 50–100 points can change your rate by 0.25–0.75%.

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