1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Kensington, MD
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kensington, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +37% lower than the citywide median of $3,382 and +52% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Kensington
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 Kensington
Compare Kensington'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 | Robinwood | $976 |
| 4 | Salisbury | $1,100 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,220 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,227 |
| 7 | District Heights | $1,293 |
| 8 | Temple Hills | $1,302 |
| 9 | Takoma Park | $1,343 |
| 10 | Fruitland | $1,350 |
| 11 | Beltsville | $1,356 |
| 12 | Lochearn | $1,357 |
| 13 | Brentwood | $1,373 |
| 14 | Chillum | $1,419 |
| 15 | Fort Washington | $1,429 |
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 | Olney | $2,430 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,430 |
| 7 | Jessup | $2,410 |
| 8 | Gambrills | $2,390 |
| 9 | Rockville | $2,343 |
| 10 | Hanover | $2,340 |
| 11 | Clinton | $2,320 |
| 12 | Brandywine | $2,300 |
| 13 | Odenton | $2,230 |
| 14 | Arnold | $2,170 |
| 15 | Upper Marlboro | $2,160 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Kensington.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Kensington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,730 | +$610 (+29%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 4.3 mi | $1,624 | $-496 (-23%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 6.1 mi | $1,343 | $-777 (-37%) |
| Chillum, MD | 7.6 mi | $1,419 | $-701 (-33%) |
| Olney, MD | 8.5 mi | $2,430 | +$310 (+15%) |
| Washington, DC | 8.8 mi | $2,192 | +$72 (+3%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,880 | $-240 (-11%) |
| McLean, VA | 10 mi | $2,286 | +$166 (+8%) |
| College Park, MD | 10.2 mi | $1,754 | $-366 (-17%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 10.2 mi | $1,373 | $-747 (-35%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11.8 mi | $2,027 | $-93 (-4%) |
| Bladensburg, MD | 12 mi | $1,227 | $-893 (-42%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Kensington — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Kensington?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Kensington, Maryland is $2,120 per month. This is +37% below the citywide median of $3,382.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Kensington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $84,800 ($7,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kensington expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Kensington's 1-bedroom median of $2,120 is +52% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 86th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kensington rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 92 cities in Maryland with 1-bedroom data, Kensington ranks #75 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Kensington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Silver Spring ($1,624), Takoma Park ($1,343), Chillum ($1,419).