Census ACS · #6 MSA
Washington Metro Area
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Dc-Va-Md-Wv Metropolitan Statistical Area has 6,263,796 residents across 4 states. The median household income is $123,896 and the median home value is $553,000.
6,263,796
Population
1038
People / sq mi
$123,896
Median Income
$553,000
Median Home Value
The Washington CBSA covers 6,034 sq mi of land at 1038.1 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 45.5% |
| Black or African American | 24.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
Economy & Income
$123,896
Median Household Income
$62,026
Per Capita Income
5.4%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Washington metro's price level is 108.9 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 8.9% higher the US average. The local median income of $123,896 has the buying power of $113,787 in average-priced US metros.
108.9
Price Level (US = 100)
$113,787
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$123,896
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$553,000
Median Home Value
$1,975
Median Rent
63.5%
Homeownership
Education
91.5%
High School+
53.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
7.9%
Drive Alone
22.6%
Work From Home
33.0 min
Avg Commute
41.8%
Foreign Born
Washington spans these states
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Dc-Va-Md-Wv Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 6,263,796 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #6 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Washington metro area is $123,896, with a per capita income of $62,026.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Dc-Va-Md-Wv CBSA spans 4 states: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, District of Columbia.
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More from Virginia
Data for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Dc-Va-Md-Wv CBSA (47900) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Among US metro areas, Washington stands out first on household income: a median of $123,896, above the US median of $78,538. Washington is a metro area in DC, VA, MD, WV with a population of 6,263,796.
Households here are among the highest-earning of all US metro areas: median income is $123,896, above the US median of $78,538. Very few residents live in poverty — 5.4%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $553,000, with typical rent around $1,975.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US metro areas — 53.8% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place Washington firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US metro areas — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.