DMV rent trends · July 2026 ZIP code study
Rents were rising across most measurable DMV ZIP codes entering summer, but the pace was uneven. The median quarter-over-quarter ZORI change was +1.38% across 137 ZIP codes; 100 rose and 37 fell.
Quarter median
+1.38%
137 ZIPs with a signal
ZIPs rising
100
73% of measurable ZIPs
Year median
+0.62%
120 ZIPs with a signal
Jurisdiction medians
Each value is the median ZIP-level change among ZIP codes with a usable ZORI signal. It is not a county-wide rent level or a promise about a specific building.
| Jurisdiction | Quarter | ZIPs | Year | ZIPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | +0.76% | 22 | -0.07% | 21 |
| Montgomery County, MD | +1.35% | 27 | +0.56% | 21 |
| Prince George's County, MD | +1.25% | 28 | +1.96% | 24 |
| Fairfax County, VA | +1.40% | 42 | +0.23% | 38 |
| Arlington, VA | +1.40% | 8 | +0.21% | 7 |
| Alexandria, VA | -1.94% | 2 | -3.50% | 2 |
| Loudoun County, VA | +2.08% | 8 | +2.08% | 7 |
What the data says
The broadest signal was positive: 100 of 137 measurable ZIP codes rose from March through June, while 37 fell. Loudoun had the highest jurisdiction median in this period at +2.08%, though only eight Loudoun ZIPs had a quarter signal.
Washington, DC was nearly flat over the full year: the median among 21 measurable DC ZIPs was -0.07%. Prince George's County had the strongest year-over-year jurisdiction median in the supported Maryland/DC markets at +1.96% across 24 ZIPs.
Alexandria moved the other direction in this snapshot, but only two Alexandria ZIPs had usable signals. That small count is why this report publishes the denominator beside every jurisdiction result and avoids a winner/loser ranking.
Method and limits
RentSift used the Zillow Observed Rent Index, smoothed and covering all property types. Quarter changes compare March 31 with June 30, 2026; year changes compare June 30, 2025 with June 30, 2026. Medians are unweighted across ZIP codes with a published signal.
The map universe contains 179 ZIP polygons, but not every ZIP has enough ZORI history for each window. Missing ZIPs are excluded from that window's median, not treated as zero change.
ZORI estimates market rent movement; it does not represent a signed lease, one unit's renewal offer, concessions, or mandatory fees. Use building-level pages and an address report for the actual properties you are considering.