You’re not going to be able to do this easily in DC. You’re going to have to have roommates. And probably in the burbs. Though there are some more or less than legal basement apartments that might be $1000 a month.

As an aside, I lived in an English basement in the District making about $30K from 2011 to 2017. So, it’s possible. But it’s a miserable existence. I had to pinch each and every penny.