Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “The District,” or just by its name, Washington, DC, is often viewed as one of the best destinations to move to. There are countless things to do in the city, whether you visit the Smithsonian Museum, tour the White House, stroll through the National Mall, explore the National Zoo, or check out the U.S. Capitol Building. It’s no wonder nearly 689,500 people are living in Washington, DC.
As you start your homebuying or renting journey, there are four things you should know. The housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $620,000, the average sale price per square foot is $516, and the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Washington, DC, is $3,354.
If those prices are out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve collected the 10 most affordable Washington, DC, suburbs to consider moving to. And the best part is that they’re all less than 35 minutes away from the city center. That way, you can live near Washington, DC, and all its cool activities without paying the premium price of living there.
#1: Adelphi, MD
Median home price: $262,000
Average sale price per square foot: $224
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,567
Driving distance from Washington, DC: 35 minutes
Adelphi, MD homes for sale
Adelphi, MD apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $262,000, Adelphi, MD, is the most affordable Washington, DC, suburb on our list. Just about a 35-minute drive away from Washington, DC, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to Adelphi, check out all the local businesses, parks, and hidden gems that make this suburb great.
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#2: Landover, MD
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Median home price: $294,945
Average sale price per square foot: $233
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,525
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Landover, MD homes for sale
Landover, MD apartments for rent
Landover, MD, takes the second spot on our list. Just about 25 minutes from Washington, DC, you can visit the Smithsonian Museum in just a quick drive. When living in this suburb of almost 26,00 people, you can also spend time exploring the charming downtown.
#3: Capitol Heights, MD
Median home price: $317,500
Average sale price per square foot: $225
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Capitol Heights, MD homes for sale
Capitol Heights, MD apartments for rent
Also 25 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of Capitol Heights, MD. There are plenty of picturesque and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Capitol Heights. If you find yourself moving to our third most affordable suburb, make sure to check out one of the many local shops and attractions.
#4: Oxon Hill, MD
Median home price: $326,000
Average sale price per square foot: $222
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,993
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Oxon Hill, MD homes for sale
Oxon Hill, MD apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Capitol Heights is none other than Oxon Hill, MD. With roughly 18,800 residents in this Washington, DC, suburb, some of the best activities to do include watching a horse race at Rosecroft Raceway or hiking the Henson Creek Trailhead.
#5: Chillum, MD
Median home price: $359,000
Average sale price per square foot: $256
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,500
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Chillum, MD homes for sale
Chillum, MD apartments for rent
25 minutes away from downtown Washington, DC, is Chillum, MD, another great suburb to consider moving to. With 36,000 people living in this affordable town, Chillum is a great option if you’re looking to stay close to Washington, DC, without paying the premium for a home in the city. In Chillum, there’s plenty to do. For example, you can walk along the Sligo Creek Trail or spend the afternoon at Green Meadows Park.
#6: Hyattsville, MD
Median home price: $374,900
Average sale price per square foot: $253
Driving distance from Washington, DC: 25 minutes
Hyattsville, MD homes for sale
Hyattsville, MD apartments for rent
A recognizable Washington, DC, suburb is Hyattsville, MD, where the median home sale price is about $200K less than in Washington, DC. Hyattsville has about 21,200 residents and is a great suburb to consider buying a home or renting an apartment. There are lots of activities to do in and around the Hyattsville area. You can tour Vanadu Art House, spend the afternoon at University Hills Duck Pond Park, or take your furry friend to Heurich Dog Park, among many other local favorites.
#7: Langley Park, MD
Median home price: $474,000
Average sale price per square foot: $296
Driving distance from Washington, DC: 30 minutes
Langley Park, MD homes for sale
Langley Park, MD apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Washington, DC, suburbs is Langley Park, MD, which is roughly a 30-minute drive into the heart of DC. With a population of about 20,100, Langley Park is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as Washington, DC, but there are still plenty of gems to explore.
#8: Mount Rainier, MD
Median home price: $500,000
Average sale price per square foot: $337
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Mount Rainier, MD homes for sale
Mount Rainier, MD apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in or around Washington, DC, for some time, chances are you know of our eighth suburb – Mount Rainier, MD. About 8,300 people live in Mount Rainier, so you’ll have a fraction of Washington, DC’s population while remaining only 25 minutes from the city.
#9: Silver Spring, MD
Median home price: $545,000
Average sale price per square foot: $278
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Silver Spring, MD homes for sale
Silver Spring, MD apartments for rent
Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Washington, DC, in about 25 minutes, making Silver Spring, MD, a great place to move to. Close to 81,000 people live in this suburb, but you’ll be surrounded by charming areas to explore in your free time. Popular things to do in Silver Spring include exploring downtown Silver Spring, taking a stroll at Sligo Creek Park, checking out the National Museum of Health & Medicine, or catching a show at The Fillmore Silver Spring. There are also plenty of Silver Spring neighborhoods to consider moving this year.
#10: Takoma Park, MD
Median home price: $593,500
Average sale price per square foot: $354
Driving distance from Washington DC: 25 minutes
Takoma Park, MD homes for sale
Takoma Park, MD apartments for rent
Takoma Park, MD, takes the last spot on our list of affordable Washington, DC, suburbs you’ll want to consider moving to. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Washington, DC, in roughly 25 minutes. This suburb has a population of 17,600, and you can spend the day at Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park or check out one of the many other parks and green spaces in the area. There’s always something to do while living in Takoma Park.
Affordable things to do in Washington, DC suburbs
1. Gravelly Point Park
“My favorite thing in Washington, DC, is going to Gravelly Point Park over the weekend. The park is located on Potomac River and close to the Reagan Airport runway,” suggests Ehsan Gondal from Washington DC Private Tours. “If you want to watch birds, boats, plane landings, and run around with your kids, this is the place to go. It’s free to visit, and you can order pizza when your party gets hungry.
2. Rose Hill Park
“I love strolling through Rose Hill Park in the quaint town of Berryville, VA,” suggests Owner Allison Ritter of The Tea Cart. “On Saturdays, the Farmer’s Market draws a lively crowd of local artisans, farmers and creatives, providing a variety of eclectic goods worth stopping by for. If you’re up for a bit of sophistication, stop by The Tea Cart for a pot of tea and a scone ($12) as you head out of town.”
3. Kingman and Heritage Islands
“If you want to enjoy the scenic nature of DC, heading over to Kingman and Heritage Islands are worth the trip,” recommends the Rose Glow Tea Room. “These islands are accessible from The Fields at RFK Campus. There, you can check out some flora and fauna along the Anacostia river. They even have free kayak and canoe reservations in the summertime.
4. The National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden
“My favorite affordable thing to do in DC is tour the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden to enjoy their unique, modern sculptures surrounded by a lovely fountain, benches, and greenery,” shares the Queen of DC. “It’s a relaxing sanctuary in the heart of the city. It turns into an ice rink during the winter, and they host a free Jazz in the Garden concert series during the summer.”
5. The Great Hall
“It’s free to visit the National Building Museum’s Great Hall,” suggests The National Building Museum. “The Great Hall features a central fountain and is divided into three courts by two screens of four colossal Corinthian columns—among the tallest classical columns in the world. Also, throughout the year, the Museum hosts free festivals, such as The Big Build, which is popular among families.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Washington, DC, and under a 35-minute drive from downtown Washington DC. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
Learn more about Washington, DC:
Locals Reveal 10 Insider Tips for Moving to Washington, DC
9 Cities Near Washington, DC to Buy or Rent in this Year
10 Fun Facts About Washington DC: How Well Do You Know Your City?
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