City Report · MD

Brandywine

Pop. 12,160·4th most expensive in Maryland·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,064/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.1%
Month-over-Month
-1.0%
vs US Median
+$1,132
Reported rents
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brandywine · $3,064
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,064/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$123,000/yr
Local median income
$157,587/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brandywine's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,250
1 BR
$2,300
2 BR
$2,590
3 BR
$3,240
4 BR+
$3,820
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,590/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,064 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in Brandywine changed -1.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($157,587) is $3,940 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,820).

Cheaper nearby

Waldorf, 7 miles away, rents for 23% less ($2,345/mo), about $8,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Brandywine. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$36,768/yr
At $3,064/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.1% YoY, -1.0% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

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Demographics

Who lives here

Brandywine, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,160
Median income
$157,587
Median age
44
Renters
4.1%
Age distribution
18.2%
20.3%
31%
16.8%
13.7%
Under 1818.2%
18–3420.3%
35–5431%
55–6416.8%
65+13.7%
Gender
43.5%
56.5%
Male43.5%
Female56.5%
Race & ethnicity
78.8%
White11.1%
Black78.8%
Hispanic5.1%
Asian1.6%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
25.7%
32.6%
38.8%
No HS diploma2.9%
HS diploma25.7%
Some college32.6%
Bachelor's+38.8%
Housing tenure
95.9%
Owner95.9%
Renter4.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brandywine, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$141,076 → $157,587
up 11.7%
Population
9,852 → 12,160
up 23.4%
Renter share
4.9% → 4.1%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
36.8% → 38.8%
+2.0 pts
Median age
41.8 → 44
+2.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Brandywine, MD now reports about $157,587, up from $141,076 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 9,852 to 12,160 between 2021 and 2024, a 23.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 36.8% to 38.8%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Brandywine on your salary?

At $3,064/mo, how Brandywine rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brandywine rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brandywine

About renting in Brandywine, MD

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Brandywine is $3,064/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,300/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,240/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($157,587/yr), Brandywine ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Brandywine?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $123,000/year (about $59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,064/mo in Brandywine. The local median household income is $157,587/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Brandywine?

Rent in Brandywine has fallen 1.1% over the past year.

How does Brandywine rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Brandywine is one of the pricier among Maryland cities for rent, ranking #4 of 93 tracked cities at $3,064/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Brandywine changed -1.1%, against a typical +2.4% across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brandywine?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Brandywine ($3,064/mo) include Temple Hills ($1,600/mo), Fort Washington ($1,722/mo), and Waldorf ($2,345/mo).
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,064/mo, rent takes ~23% of Brandywine's median household income ($157,587/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brandywine 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Brandywine affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brandywine, MD

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