Studio Apartment Rent in Kensington, MD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Kensington, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $2,975 and +61% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Kensington
Compare Kensington's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $680 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $820 |
| 3 | Ocean City | $880 |
| 4 | Salisbury | $1,090 |
| 5 | Lochearn | $1,168 |
| 6 | Easton | $1,170 |
| 7 | Bladensburg | $1,213 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Park | $1,250 |
| 9 | Dundalk | $1,250 |
| 10 | Essex | $1,250 |
| 11 | Halethorpe | $1,250 |
| 12 | Havre de Grace | $1,250 |
| 13 | Westminster | $1,250 |
| 14 | Aberdeen | $1,270 |
| 15 | Rossville | $1,270 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,020 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $2,675 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,530 |
| 4 | Lake Arbor | $2,462 |
| 5 | Derwood | $2,400 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,370 |
| 7 | Rockville | $2,297 |
| 8 | Clinton | $2,270 |
| 9 | Brandywine | $2,250 |
| 10 | Upper Marlboro | $2,115 |
| 11 | Jessup | $2,110 |
| 12 | Gambrills | $2,100 |
| 13 | Kensington (this page) | $2,080 |
| 14 | Hanover | $2,050 |
| 15 | Bowie | $2,022 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Kensington.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Kensington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,675 | +$595 (+29%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 4.3 mi | $1,592 | $-488 (-23%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 6.1 mi | $1,298 | $-782 (-38%) |
| Chillum, MD | 7.6 mi | $1,410 | $-670 (-32%) |
| Washington, DC | 8.8 mi | $2,145 | +$65 (+3%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,840 | $-240 (-12%) |
| McLean, VA | 10 mi | $2,213 | +$133 (+6%) |
| College Park, MD | 10.2 mi | $1,722 | $-358 (-17%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 10.2 mi | $2,017 | $-63 (-3%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11.8 mi | $1,983 | $-97 (-5%) |
| Bladensburg, MD | 12 mi | $1,213 | $-867 (-42%) |
| East Riverdale, MD | 12.1 mi | $1,580 | $-500 (-24%) |
Studio rent in Kensington — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Kensington?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Kensington, Maryland is $2,080 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $2,975.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Kensington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $83,200 ($6,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kensington expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Kensington's studio median of $2,080 is +61% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 90th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kensington rank for studio rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with studio data, Kensington ranks #78 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Kensington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Silver Spring ($1,592), Takoma Park ($1,298), Chillum ($1,410).