Washington - DC vs Orlando - FL: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 49% more expensive than Orlando - FL in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Orlando - FL (41 days vs 19), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Washington vs Orlando: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,156 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $2,123 in Orlando, a gap of $1,033 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $1,929 in Orlando, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 1.1 times rent in Orlando, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 16.6 in Orlando; the lower ratio in Orlando means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and -5.6% in Orlando; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and -0.3% in Orlando.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 97.3% in Orlando, after 19 and 41 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 28% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has more price cuts, while Orlando has longer time on the market and sales further below list.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and down 3% on a year ago in Orlando.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.