Rents are 3% below what Germantown's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Germantown's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
December. Asking rents in Germantown usually run 0.7% below trend in December and 0.6% above it in September, about $26 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Germantown is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Germantown changed +2.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Germantown rose 31.7% while median household income rose 24.3% ($94,559 to $117,546). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Germantown is 31.8% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($117,546) is $2,939 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,355); a 3-bedroom is $2,945.
Takoma Park, 19 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,607/mo), about $5,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Germantown. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Germantown, MD has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Germantown, MD stood at $1,596 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,026, reflecting a 26.9% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Germantown on your salary?
At $2,026/mo, how Germantown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Germantown rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Germantown. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Germantown
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Germantown is $2,026/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,641/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,885/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,673/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,358/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($117,546/yr), Germantown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Germantown rent compare to other cities in Maryland?
At $2,026/mo, rent takes ~21% of Germantown's median household income ($117,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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