At $2,864/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $2,864 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 Derwood changed +0.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($118,194) is $2,955 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,760); a 3-bedroom is $3,450.
Gaithersburg, 4 miles away, rents for 23% less ($2,196/mo), about $8,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Derwood. 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
Derwood, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 55.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Derwood, MD has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $71,471 in 2021 to $118,194 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 1,700 to 1,984 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.7% change. About 42% of households rent today, against 36% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 65.1% to 55.8%.
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At $2,864/mo, how Derwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Derwood rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Derwood. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Derwood
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Derwood is $2,864/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,400/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,760/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,450/mo.
At 29% of local median household income ($118,194/yr), Derwood ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Derwood?
How does Derwood rent compare to other cities in Maryland?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Derwood?
At $2,864/mo, rent takes ~29% of Derwood's median household income ($118,194/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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