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The capital of the United States is the seat of the federal government, the site of seemingly countless historic and cultural locales worth visiting, and home to nearly 600,000 residents living in houses and apartments throughout the district. Historic points of interest seem to be on every corner, but beyond Washington D.C.'s familiar sites and monuments, it's an exciting urban area full of interesting and eclectic choices when it comes to finding apartments for rent.

You can't help but feel the majesty of America here; people who live and work in the nation's capital are surrounded by a multitude of government buildings (including the White House and Capitol) and national monuments (the Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, etc). It's one of the easiest cities to navigate using public transportation; the excellent Metrorail subway and bus systems make it easy to live here without a car. The district's most famous cultural attractions include the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Summers are warm and humid, and winters are relatively mild with some snowfall.

The business of Washington, D.C., is government, so it's no wonder that the federal government is the main employer in the district, with hundreds of thousands of employees in the greater metro area. In addition to government, other major employers include unions, nonprofit organizations and service-related industries. Tourism is an important source of income for the district, and its related businesses and industries are significant sources of jobs. Finally, Washington D.C. is known for its prestigious educational institutions, the most famous of which is Georgetown University. It, along with Catholic University of America, Howard University, Gallaudet University and others, also provide employment opportunities to the district's residents.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices The bad news is that Washington D.C.'s overall cost of living is a whopping 81% above the national average. The good news is that there are literally hundreds of options when it comes to apartments for rent, with 31% of the district's housing made up of apartments. Most rental prices start in the $600 range and quickly escalate to the thousands for luxury apartments. The average price for one-bedroom apartment rentals is $1,100 per month, but keep in mind that the average price reflects the extremely expensive luxury apartments rentals as well as the more affordable.

Within Washington, D.C., itself, the trendy streets of Georgetown and happening downtown district are interesting areas to explore for apartment for rent. You'll also find many housing options in varying rent ranges in the surrounded cities and suburbs, which include Baltimore, Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland, as well as Alexandria, Crystal City, Reston and Tysons Corner in Virginia.