National coverage of the Washington housing market quotes one number for the whole region. This deep dive takes that number apart in four steps: the metro, the District and its suburbs, DC's neighborhoods, and finally the individual houses inside them, so you can see how far prices split apart as the place gets smaller.
Twenty-five years in one line
From Q1 2000 to Q2 2026, home prices in FHFA's Washington (DC-MD) metropolitan division rose 243.3%, while the United States rose 213.1%. FHFA splits the region into three divisions: this one covers the District and nearby Maryland counties, while Montgomery and Frederick counties have a division of their own and Northern Virginia another. The next level of this deep dive puts the District and its largest neighbors from all three on one chart.
By Q1 2007, Washington prices stood 151.8% above their 2000 level, against 65.4% for the US. They then lost 29.7% of their value before bottoming in Q2 2011.
Since the pandemic
From Q1 2020, the Washington division rose 30.0% while the US rose 60.5%, leaving Washington 30.5 points behind. Our comparison of every market since the pandemic sets Washington beside New York and lets you chart any two places against each other. The division's index year by year is on our Washington, DC home appreciation page.
Inside the metro
The regional figure blends the District with suburbs that moved very differently. From 2019 to 2025, Loudoun County rose 54.4% and the District rose 14.9%. The next level of this deep dive sets the District against each of its large neighbors.