Los Angeles, CA vs Washington, DC: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
Los Angeles, CA vs Washington, DC side by side
| Metric | ● Los Angeles, CA | ● Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 30 | 41 |
| Price Momentum | 72 | 67 |
| Inventory Health | 29 | 34 |
| Affordability | 1 | 31 |
| Economic Strength | 33 | 50 |
| Rental Yield | 13 | 20 |
| Median Sale Price | $940K | $630K |
| Price-to-Income | 10.4 | 5.0 |
| Payment-to-Income | 62.0% | 29.6% |
| Months of Supply | 4 | 3 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 2.5% | 3.9% |
| Overvaluation Index | 70 | 50 |
Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.
How Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Washington, DC leads — Los Angeles, CA 1/100 vs Washington, DC 31/100.
- Price Momentum: Los Angeles, CA leads — Los Angeles, CA 72/100 vs Washington, DC 67/100.
- Inventory Health: Washington, DC leads — Los Angeles, CA 29/100 vs Washington, DC 34/100.
- Economic Strength: Washington, DC leads — Los Angeles, CA 33/100 vs Washington, DC 50/100.
- Rental Yield: Washington, DC leads — Los Angeles, CA 13/100 vs Washington, DC 20/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, Los Angeles, CA or Washington, DC?
Washington, DC scores higher — 41 vs 30 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.
Is Los Angeles, CA or Washington, DC more affordable?
Washington, DC is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 10.4 in Los Angeles, CA and 5.0 in Washington, DC.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, Los Angeles, CA or Washington, DC?
Los Angeles, CA has stronger price momentum — 72/100 vs 67/100.
What is the median home price in Los Angeles, CA vs Washington, DC?
The median sale price is $940K in Los Angeles, CA and $630K in Washington, DC.
Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Los Angeles, CA market brief and the Washington, DC brief.