1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Essex, MD
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Essex, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,685 and +3% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Essex
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Essex
Compare Essex's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $780 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $910 |
| 3 | Salisbury | $1,100 |
| 4 | Ocean City | $1,132 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,220 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,242 |
| 7 | Temple Hills | $1,323 |
| 8 | Takoma Park | $1,330 |
| 9 | Berlin | $1,340 |
| 10 | Lochearn | $1,357 |
| 11 | Brentwood | $1,373 |
| 12 | Beltsville | $1,382 |
| 13 | Greater Landover | $1,399 |
| 14 | Chillum | $1,419 |
| 15 | Fort Washington | $1,425 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,080 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $2,730 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,590 |
| 4 | Derwood | $2,450 |
| 5 | Chevy Chase | $2,430 |
| 6 | Jessup | $2,410 |
| 7 | Gambrills | $2,390 |
| 8 | Rockville | $2,343 |
| 9 | Hanover | $2,340 |
| 10 | Clinton | $2,320 |
| 11 | Brandywine | $2,300 |
| 12 | Odenton | $2,230 |
| 13 | Lake Arbor | $2,185 |
| 14 | Upper Marlboro | $2,160 |
| 15 | Crofton | $2,140 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Essex.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Essex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk, MD | 4.3 mi | $1,430 | — |
| Rossville, MD | 5.5 mi | $1,450 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Nottingham, MD | 7.6 mi | $1,600 | +$170 (+12%) |
| Parkville, MD | 9.9 mi | $1,530 | +$100 (+7%) |
| Towson, MD | 14.2 mi | $1,770 | +$340 (+24%) |
| Edgewood, MD | 14.3 mi | $1,480 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Severn, MD | 20.4 mi | $1,940 | +$510 (+36%) |
| Cockeysville, MD | 21.7 mi | $1,630 | +$200 (+14%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 23.8 mi | $1,590 | +$160 (+11%) |
| Garrison, MD | 23.9 mi | $1,781 | +$351 (+25%) |
| Crofton, MD | 25.9 mi | $2,140 | +$710 (+50%) |
| Jessup, MD | 26.7 mi | $2,410 | +$980 (+69%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Essex — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Essex?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Essex, Maryland is $1,430 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,685.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Essex?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,200 ($4,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Essex expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Essex's 1-bedroom median of $1,430 is +3% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 52th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Essex rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 91 cities in Maryland with 1-bedroom data, Essex ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Essex?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Essex.