Sonny Styles, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is headed to the nations capital, and enters the league with a ~$37.2 million rookie contract and a ~$23.5 million signing bonus.

Before the 230‑pound hybrid linebacker plays a single snap for the Washington Commanders however; the young man faces a financial decision that will shape the next decade of his life:

Should Sonny Styles stay an Ohio resident, or let the DMV claim him?

Because for a 21‑year‑old with eight‑figure guarantees, the wrong address doesn’t just cost money…

It costs millions.

APSM breaks down Styles’ real estate and residency and suggests where the Commanders rookie could establish his primary residence to maximize his net worth across his new financial landscape:

• His home state (Ohio)
• His drafted market (Virginia)
• His playing market (Maryland)
• The tax nightmare (Washington D.C.)

Does Sonny Styles Own Any Property?

Styles was born and raised in Pickerington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.

He starred at Pickerington Central High School, became a five‑star recruit, and then a standout at The Ohio State.

There are no public records of Styles owning real estate in Ohio or elsewhere. Like most NIL‑era athletes, he likely:

• Rented during his college days
• Saved his NIL earnings
• Waited until the draft to make major real estate decisions

Now, with a $23.5 million signing bonus on the way, Styles’ first real estate move is a financial fork in the road.

The DMV, especially Washington D.C. is one of the worst tax environments in the NFL when it comes to pocketing the most of your deal.

Want to Learn the Wealth Framework
All Elite Earners Use?

The APSM 7 Primary Ways Athletes Build
Generational Wealth Report Includes:

• Core wealth engines used by the world’s top earners
• Multi-contract wealth acceleration modeling
• Real-estate & portfolio structures designed for long-term stability
• Tax-efficient income routing
• Brand, endorsements & equity playbooks
• Risk-tier modeling athletes use to build & protect their net worth

If you want the real path to lifelong wealth,
not hype, not cliches,

this is the foundation.

Market #1: Ohio
(Home State, Suggested Residency)

• Median Home Price: ~$235,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~1.6%
• State Income Tax: 3.75%
• Cost of Living: ~10% below U.S. average
• Market Trend: Slow, steady appreciation (~2-4% annually)

Pros

• Lower state income tax (3.75%)
• Familiar environment
• Affordable housing compared to the DMV
• Stable, predictable real estate market (not a coastal market)
• Strong rental demand in Columbus metro

Cons

• Not a no‑income‑tax state
• Lower appreciation than coastal markets

APSM Take

Ohio is quietly one of the best residency decisions in the entire top‑10.

On a ~$23.5M signing bonus:

• Ohio (3.75%) → ~$555K in state tax
• Virginia (5.75%) → ~$1.35M
• Maryland (5.75% + local) → ~$1.4M+
• Washington D.C. (10.75%) → ~$2.5M+

Ohio saves Styles $800K-$2+ million depending on the alternative.
Ohio is the minimum floor he should accept.

Styles is in a similar situation as rookies who get drafted to New York/New Jersey and California…

Keep the address on your ID the hell out of the region you’ll be playing in for your rookie deal.

Why?

Because football isn’t forever, but money can last for generations.

Why let D.C. / the DMV take millions in taxes when that could be used to sit and compound for decades.

Market #2: Virginia (Drafted Market No. 1)

• Median Home Price: ~$420,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~0.8%
• State Income Tax: ~5.75% (Top Marginal Bracket)
• Cost of Living: ~10-20% above U.S. average
• Market Trend: 4-6% annual appreciation in Northern Virginia

Pros

• Close to Commanders facilities
• Strong luxury markets (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax)
• High appreciation in NOVA suburbs

Cons

• Higher income tax than Ohio
• Expensive housing
• High cost of living
• No tax advantage for a rookie

APSM Take

Virginia is fine to rent in, but is a terrible state to claim residency, unless you plan on spending the entire off-season in the region.

Residency isn’t just where you want to live on paper.

It’s also where you spend a majority of your calendar year, and so many players may choose to stay in their market, but they should know how much it could cost them…

If Styles moved his address to the DMV he could potentially lose:

• ~$800K more on his signing bonus
• Millions more across his rookie deal

Virginia is a workplace, not a tax home.

Market #3: Maryland (FedEx Field)

• Median Home Price: ~$415,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~1.1%
• State Income Tax: 5.75%
• Local Income Tax: up to ~3.2%
• Cost of Living: Slightly above U.S. average
• Market Trend: 3-5% annual appreciation

Pros

• Close to FedEx Field (Landover)
• Strong rental markets in Prince George’s County
• Solid appreciation in Montgomery & Howard County

Cons

• High combined state + local tax (~8–9%)
• Higher property taxes
• No financial upside for a top‑10 pick

APSM Take

Maryland is worse than Virginia and far worse than Ohio.
Styles should rent here, not live here on paper.

Market #4: Washington D.C. (Tax Nightmare)

• Median Home Price: ~$650,000
• Property Tax Rate: ~0.85%
• Income Tax: 10.75% (top bracket)
• Cost of Living: ~40% above U.S. average
• Market Trend: 3–5% annual appreciation

Pros

• None for a high‑income athlete

Cons

• 10.75% income tax, one of the highest in America
• Extremely high cost of living
• Aggressive residency audits
• No financial justification whatsoever

APSM Take

Styles should never establish D.C. residency.
This is one of the worst tax jurisdictions in the NFL.

Best Housing, Rental Markets &
Appreciation Rates

Ohio

• Best Housing Markets: Columbus, Dublin, Powell, Westerville
• Best Rental Markets: Columbus metro, OSU campus area
• Appreciation Rates: 2–4% annually

Virginia

• Best Housing Markets: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean
• Best Rental Markets: Crystal City, Pentagon City, Reston
• Appreciation Rates: 4–6% annually

Maryland

• Best Housing Markets: Bethesda, Silver Spring, Columbia, Bowie
• Best Rental Markets: Prince George’s County, Montgomery County
• Appreciation Rates: 3–5% annually

Washington D.C.

• Best Housing Markets: Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Logan Circle
• Best Rental Markets: Navy Yard, Dupont Circle
• Appreciation Rates: 3–5% annually

Residency Impact on Styles’ Signing Bonus

• Gross Signing Bonus: $23,500,000
• Federal Tax (37%): $14,805,000

Residency State	State/Local Tax Rate	State Tax on Bonus	Estimated Net Signing Bonus
Ohio	3.75%	~$555k	~$14.25M
Virginia	5.75%	~$1.35M	~$13.65M
Maryland	~8–9%	~$2M	~$12.9M
Washington D.C.	10.75%	~$2.5M	~$12.28M

By keeping his address in Ohio Styles could save:

• ~$800K vs Virginia
• ~$1.5M vs Maryland
• ~$2.0M+ vs D.C.

This is a multi‑million‑dollar residency decision.

Investment Scenario:
Turning $14.2M Into Real Wealth

Using the Ohio residency scenario:

ROI Rate (5 Years)	Projected Value
10% Return	~$23M
12% Return	~$25.1M
15% Return	~$28.7M
20% Return	~$35.5M

If Styles invests his entire net signing bonus and lives below his means, he can turn ~$14.2 million net into $25-30+ million before touching a dollar.

This is how you beat the 70% of athletes who go broke after retirement.

Jock Tax Considerations

Ohio Advantage

• Lower state income tax
• No local income tax drag like D.C.
• Easy to defend residency

Virginia/Maryland Disadvantage

• Higher income tax
• Higher property taxes
• No financial upside

Washington D.C. Disadvantage

• 10.75% income tax
• One of the worst tax environments in the NFL

Styles should treat the DMV as the place he works, not the place he lives.

APSM Real Estate Verdict

Ohio Should Be His Primary Residence.
Virginia or Maryland Should Only Be Rental Markets.
Washington D.C. Should Be Avoided Entirely.

If Sonny Styles wants to maximize his rookie earnings, protect his signing bonus, and build long‑term wealth, the APSM suggested move is simple:

• Keep Ohio residency.
• Rent in Virginia or Maryland for convenience.
• Avoid D.C. at all costs.
• Invest aggressively from Day 1.

Suggested Real Estate Strategy for Sonny Styles

• Primary residence: Ohio (Columbus metro)
• Work base: Short‑term rental in Virginia or Maryland
• Avoid: Washington D.C. residency
• Invest: Majority of signing bonus into index funds and mutual funds
• Goal: Turn ~$14.2M into $25-35M+ by Year 5

Styles’ career may be unpredictable.
His money doesn’t have to be.

Next Reads

• 2026 NFL Draft: Every 1st Round Contract Details, Net Income & Residency Analysis
• Jets #2 Pick David Bailey Is Headed to New York: The $36.8M Residency Mistake That Could Cost the Rookie Millions
• Inside the Washington Commanders’ Stadium Fight
• Chiefs #6 Pick Mansoor Delane Real Estate & Residency Analysis: Why Kansas City Is a Financial Trap for a Rookie
• Washington D.C. (U.S. Capital) Athlete Taxes

Credits

• Written By: Aidan Anderson
• Research & Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
• Sources: NFL Draft Data, Sportico, Spotrac, Zillow / Redfin Market Research, ESPN, WSJ, APSM Proprietary Analysis
• Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
• Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.