Buy vs. rent: What you'll pay in the 10 biggest cities. Washington, D.C.

    With the federal government providing steady employment to many of the D.C.-area's residents, the housing market has recovered quickly from the bust.

    Home prices are expected to keep climbing modestly over the next couple of years, at an annual appreciation rate of about 2.6%, according to Trulia. That should be enough for buyers to stay ahead of renters.

% saved buying: 34%

Median home price : $330,000

Median rent: $2,100