2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Essex, MD
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Essex, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +29% higher than the citywide median of $1,352 and +6% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $970 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $1,200 |
| 3 | Robinwood | $1,280 |
| 4 | Easton | $1,350 |
| 5 | Bladensburg | $1,378 |
| 6 | Salisbury | $1,440 |
| 7 | Lochearn | $1,449 |
| 8 | District Heights | $1,455 |
| 9 | Temple Hills | $1,465 |
| 10 | Takoma Park | $1,511 |
| 11 | Beltsville | $1,526 |
| 12 | Fort Washington | $1,605 |
| 13 | Great Mills | $1,670 |
| 14 | Oxon Hill | $1,740 |
| 15 | Brooklyn Park | $1,750 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,470 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $3,075 |
| 3 | Jessup | $2,950 |
| 4 | Gambrills | $2,930 |
| 5 | New Market | $2,910 |
| 6 | Hanover | $2,860 |
| 7 | Derwood | $2,760 |
| 8 | Olney | $2,740 |
| 9 | Odenton | $2,730 |
| 10 | Chevy Chase | $2,730 |
| 11 | Arnold | $2,660 |
| 12 | Rockville | $2,640 |
| 13 | Crofton | $2,620 |
| 14 | Clinton | $2,610 |
| 15 | Brandywine | $2,590 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than Essex.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Essex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk, MD | 4.3 mi | $1,750 | — |
| Rossville, MD | 5.5 mi | $1,780 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Nottingham, MD | 7.6 mi | $1,960 | +$210 (+12%) |
| Parkville, MD | 9.9 mi | $1,870 | +$120 (+7%) |
| Towson, MD | 14.2 mi | $2,165 | +$415 (+24%) |
| Edgewood, MD | 14.3 mi | $1,810 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Severn, MD | 20.4 mi | $2,380 | +$630 (+36%) |
| Cockeysville, MD | 21.7 mi | $2,000 | +$250 (+14%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 23.8 mi | $1,950 | +$200 (+11%) |
| Garrison, MD | 23.9 mi | $2,092 | +$342 (+20%) |
| Crofton, MD | 25.9 mi | $2,620 | +$870 (+50%) |
| Jessup, MD | 26.7 mi | $2,950 | +$1,200 (+69%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Essex — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Essex?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Essex, Maryland is $1,750 per month. This is +29% higher than the citywide median of $1,352.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Essex?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $70,000 ($5,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Essex expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Essex's 2-bedroom median of $1,750 is +6% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 55th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Essex rank for 2-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 92 cities in Maryland with 2-bedroom data, Essex ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Essex?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than Essex.