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City Report · MD

Bowie

Pop. 57,926·25th most expensive in Maryland·Rental market data updated monthly for Bowie, MD
Median rent (all units)
$2,412/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.2%
Month-over-Month
-1.7%
vs US Median
+$447
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bowie · $2,412
More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
58/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Bowie's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,412/mo
Expected by trend
$2,508/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bowie's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,950
1 BR
$1,994
2 BR
$2,244
3 BR
$2,807
4 BR+
$3,310
Research median
$2,244/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,944/yr
At $2,412/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 0.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.2% YoY, -1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bowie, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
57,926
Median income
$141,995
Median age
44
Renters
16.1%
Age distribution
21.1%
17.2%
26.8%
17.5%
17.4%
Under 1821.1%
18–3417.2%
35–5426.8%
55–6417.5%
65+17.4%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
27.5%
55.1%
White27.5%
Black55.1%
Hispanic10%
Asian3.3%
Other4.1%
Education (25+)
18.1%
25.6%
50.4%
No HS diploma5.9%
HS diploma18.1%
Some college25.6%
Bachelor's+50.4%
Housing tenure
83.9%
16.1%
Owner83.9%
Renter16.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bowie, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,899 → $2,412
up 27.0%
Income
$127,029 → $141,995
up 11.8%
Population
58,113 → 57,926
down 0.3%
Renter share
14.6% → 16.1%
+1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
48.8% → 50.4%
+1.6 pts
Median age
42.9 → 44
+1.1 yrs

Rent in Bowie, MD has climbed 27.0% since 2021, going from about $1,899 per month to roughly $2,412 today. Census figures show median household income at $141,995 today, compared with $127,029 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 15.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 16.1% of households rent today, against 14.6% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bowie

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View Bowie rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bowie on your salary?

At $2,412/mo, how Bowie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bowie rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bowie. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bowie

About renting in Bowie, MD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bowie is $2,412/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,244/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,994/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,807/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($141,995/yr), Bowie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bowie an affordable city for renters?

Bowie is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,412/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($141,995/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bowie falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bowie?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,412/mo in Bowie. The local median household income is $141,995/yr, meaning the typical Bowie household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bowie?

Rent in Bowie has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.2% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Bowie neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bowie are 20721 ($2,220/mo), 20716 ($2,362/mo), and 20715 ($2,737/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bowie is $2,412/mo.

How does Bowie rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Bowie is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #25 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,412/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bowie?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bowie ($2,412/mo): Lanham Seabrook ($1,940/mo), Lake Arbor ($2,111/mo).

What percentage of Bowie residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.1% of Bowie households are renters, while 83.9% are owner-occupied. Bowie leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bowie rent compare to the national average?

Bowie's median rent of $2,412/mo is $447 (23%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #25 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,412/mo, rent takes ~20% of Bowie's median household income ($141,995/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bowie 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Bowie affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bowie, MD

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