At $2,170/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,170 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Berlin changed -14.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.
30% of the median household income ($81,438) is $2,036 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,490); a 3-bedroom is $2,090.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Berlin. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Berlin, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 41.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Berlin, MD has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Berlin, MD now reports about $81,438, up from $69,955 in 2021. Census counts show Berlin, MD adding about 282 residents over the five-year window, up 5.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 42.1% to 44.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 28.1% to 41.9% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Berlin on your salary?
At $2,170/mo, how Berlin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Berlin rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Berlin. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Berlin
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Berlin is $2,170/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,300/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,090/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($81,438/yr), Berlin ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 14.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Berlin?
Is rent going up or down in Berlin?
How does Berlin rent compare to other cities in Maryland?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Berlin?
At $2,170/mo, rent takes ~32% of Berlin's median household income ($81,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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