City Report · MD

Dundalk

Pop. 65,969·85th most expensive in Maryland·Dundalk rents have dropped 9.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,581/mo
Year-over-Year
-9.0%
Month-over-Month
-2.0%
vs US Median
-$381
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dundalk · $1,581
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
91/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 20% below what Dundalk's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,581/mo
Expected by trend
$1,986/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Dundalk's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,250
1 BR
$1,430
2 BR
$1,750
3 BR
$2,270
4 BR+
$2,570
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,750/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,581 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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$18,972/yr
At $1,581/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 9.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-9.0% YoY, -2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Dundalk, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
65,969
Median income
$64,520
Median age
37.2
Renters
35.4%
Age distribution
24.2%
22.8%
25.5%
16.1%
Under 1824.2%
18–3422.8%
35–5425.5%
55–6411.4%
65+16.1%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
64.4%
16.2%
13.9%
White64.4%
Black16.2%
Hispanic13.9%
Asian2%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
17%
39.9%
27.4%
15.7%
No HS diploma17%
HS diploma39.9%
Some college27.4%
Bachelor's+15.7%
Housing tenure
64.6%
35.4%
Owner64.6%
Renter35.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Dundalk, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,402 → $1,581
up 12.8%
Income
$58,203 → $64,520
up 10.9%
Population
66,426 → 65,969
down 0.7%
Renter share
37.6% → 35.4%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
13.3% → 15.7%
+2.4 pts
Median age
37.8 → 37.2
-0.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Dundalk, MD paid around $1,402 a month. That figure now sits near $1,581, up 12.8% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $64,520 today, compared with $58,203 five years earlier. The renter share has eased from 37.6% to 35.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 13.3% to 15.7% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Dundalk on your salary?

At $1,581/mo, how Dundalk rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dundalk rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dundalk

About renting in Dundalk, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Dundalk is $1,581/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,750/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,270/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($64,520/yr), Dundalk ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 9.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dundalk an affordable city for renters?

Dundalk is considered affordable for renters. At $1,581/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($64,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dundalk falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Dundalk?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,581/mo in Dundalk. The local median household income is $64,520/yr, meaning the typical Dundalk household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dundalk?

Rent in Dundalk has decreased 9.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Dundalk rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Dundalk is one of the more affordable cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #85 out of 94 tracked cities at $1,581/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dundalk?

Essex is nearby and more affordable at $1,477/mo, which is $104 less than Dundalk.

What percentage of Dundalk residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.4% of Dundalk households are renters, while 64.6% are owner-occupied. Dundalk leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dundalk rent compare to the national average?

Dundalk's median rent of $1,581/mo is $381 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #85 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,581/mo, rent takes ~29% of Dundalk's median household income ($64,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dundalk 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Dundalk affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Dundalk, MD

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