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City Report · MD

Germantown

Pop. 90,719·41st most expensive in Maryland·Germantown rents are up 8.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,137/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$172
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Germantown · $2,137
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Germantown's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,137/mo
Expected by trend
$2,119/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Germantown's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,050
1 BR
$2,090
2 BR
$2,355
3 BR
$2,945
4 BR+
$3,470
Research median
$2,355/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$25,644/yr
At $2,137/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.5% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Germantown, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
90,719
Median income
$117,546
Median age
37.5
Renters
32.8%
Age distribution
23%
23.2%
28.4%
13.9%
Under 1823%
18–3423.2%
35–5428.4%
55–6413.9%
65+11.5%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
25.9%
27.5%
22.9%
21.1%
White25.9%
Black27.5%
Hispanic22.9%
Asian21.1%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
17.6%
21.9%
50.4%
No HS diploma10.1%
HS diploma17.6%
Some college21.9%
Bachelor's+50.4%
Housing tenure
67.2%
32.8%
Owner67.2%
Renter32.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Germantown, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,617 → $2,137
up 32.2%
Income
$104,061 → $117,546
up 13.0%
Population
90,235 → 90,719
up 0.5%
Renter share
33.6% → 32.8%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
48.7% → 50.4%
+1.7 pts
Median age
36.6 → 37.5
+0.9 yrs

The median rent in Germantown, MD stood at $1,617 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,137, reflecting a 32.2% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $104,061 to $117,546 across the same window, up 13.0% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Germantown, MD look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Germantown

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

Can you afford rent in Germantown on your salary?

At $2,137/mo, how Germantown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Germantown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Germantown

About renting in Germantown, MD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Germantown is $2,137/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,050/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,355/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,090/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,945/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($117,546/yr), Germantown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Germantown an affordable city for renters?

Germantown is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,137/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($117,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Germantown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Germantown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $85,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,137/mo in Germantown. The local median household income is $117,546/yr, meaning the typical Germantown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Germantown?

Rent in Germantown has increased 8.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Germantown neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Germantown are 20876 ($2,119/mo), and 20874 ($2,142/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Germantown is $2,137/mo.

How does Germantown rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Germantown is middle-of-the-pack for Maryland for rent, ranking #41 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,137/mo.

What percentage of Germantown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.8% of Germantown households are renters, while 67.2% are owner-occupied. Germantown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Germantown rent compare to the national average?

Germantown's median rent of $2,137/mo is $172 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #41 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,137/mo, rent takes ~22% of Germantown's median household income ($117,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Germantown 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Germantown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Germantown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Germantown, MD

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