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City Report · MD

Kensington

Pop. 2,369·2nd most expensive in Maryland·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,513/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.9%
vs US Median
+$1,551
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kensington · $3,513
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,513/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$141,000/yr
Local median income
$152,284/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kensington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,080
1 BR
$2,120
2 BR
$2,390
3 BR
$2,990
4 BR+
$3,530
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,513 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
$42,156/yr
At $3,513/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kensington, MD is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 75.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
2,369
Median income
$152,284
Median age
42
Renters
49.5%
Age distribution
30.2%
27.4%
21.6%
Under 1830.2%
18–3410.2%
35–5427.4%
55–6410.6%
65+21.6%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
67.8%
12.4%
14.2%
White67.8%
Black5.5%
Hispanic12.4%
Asian14.2%
Education (25+)
75.7%
No HS diploma2%
HS diploma11%
Some college11.3%
Bachelor's+75.7%
Housing tenure
50.5%
49.5%
Owner50.5%
Renter49.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kensington, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$132,132 → $152,284
up 15.3%
Population
2,336 → 2,369
up 1.4%
Renter share
43.7% → 49.5%
+5.8 pts
Bachelor's+
80.5% → 75.7%
-4.8 pts
Median age
41.1 → 42
+0.9 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $132,132 to $152,284 across the same window, up 15.3% versus 2021. Census counts show Kensington, MD adding about 33 residents over the five-year window, up 1.4% on net. The renter share has risen from 43.7% to 49.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 80.5% to 75.7% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Kensington

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

Can you afford rent in Kensington on your salary?

At $3,513/mo, how Kensington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kensington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kensington

About renting in Kensington, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kensington is $3,513/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,990/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($152,284/yr), Kensington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kensington an affordable city for renters?

Kensington is considered affordable for renters. At $3,513/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($152,284/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kensington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kensington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $141,000/year (~$68/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,513/mo in Kensington. The local median household income is $152,284/yr, meaning the typical Kensington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kensington?

Rent in Kensington has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Kensington rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Kensington is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #2 out of 94 tracked cities at $3,513/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kensington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kensington ($3,513/mo): Takoma Park ($1,597/mo), Silver Spring ($1,962/mo), Rockville ($2,416/mo).

What percentage of Kensington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.5% of Kensington households are renters, while 50.5% are owner-occupied. Kensington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kensington rent compare to the national average?

Kensington's median rent of $3,513/mo is $1,551 (79%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #2 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,513/mo, rent takes ~28% of Kensington's median household income ($152,284/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kensington 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Kensington affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kensington
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kensington, MD

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