Originally Posted by: LawOrder 
What percentage of net income (after taxes) do most folks pay for their monthly housing costs in the D.C. area? Either rent or mortgage.
Cost depends on where in the DC area you want to live. In DC? Can be pretty high, with not a lot for the money. Typically an apartment/condo/townhouse. Costs vary based on which part of the city and proximity of metro.
You then have VA or MD as options. Some folks live a distance (such as down in Woodbridge or out in Shenandoah Valley!) and commute (either drive, train/bus, or
Slug) and plan on the time (over an hour each way). VA neighborhoods within the beltway (the 405 ring road that surrounds DC...inside the ring is "inside the beltway" outside the ring...you get it) are pricier as they have more metro stops and your commute will likely be shorter. That said, the beltway reaches further into VA than MD.
Many decent places in MD exist as well. Advantage of MD and further out in VA is more home for your money (this is relative based on your reference point! Coming from Los Angeles or NYC...not bad prices. Coming from OK or ID...maybe not so much!).
If you don't have kids, more options for housing as schools aren't a factor.
Your options are going to be driven by schools, how much home you want and how much of a commute you are willing to live with.
I live on a military base...but commute (pre-Covid!) about 30 minutes into the city to my office, and about 40-45 minutes coming home. If I worked on the base, my commute would be way shorter! That said, I'm looking at buying a house a little further out because I want some separation from my neighbors. I don't have kids, so don't care about schools, but do care about proximity to restaurants and easy access to DC itself. Of course, at my grade and with my military retired pay on top, I can afford a bit more than I could if I was a GS12 or below.