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City Report · MD

La Plata

Pop. 10,683·21st most expensive in Maryland·Rental market data updated monthly for La Plata, MD
Median rent (all units)
$2,436/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.1%
vs US Median
+$471
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
La Plata · $2,436
More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,436/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$97,000/yr
Local median income
$121,208/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using La Plata's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,750
1 BR
$1,790
2 BR
$2,010
3 BR
$2,510
4 BR+
$2,960
Research median
$2,010/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
$29,232/yr
At $2,436/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

La Plata, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,683
Median income
$121,208
Median age
41.7
Renters
19.6%
Age distribution
19.8%
20.8%
27.3%
14.6%
17.5%
Under 1819.8%
18–3420.8%
35–5427.3%
55–6414.6%
65+17.5%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
47.7%
36.2%
White47.7%
Black36.2%
Hispanic6.2%
Asian3.3%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
25.8%
34%
35.4%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma25.8%
Some college34%
Bachelor's+35.4%
Housing tenure
80.4%
19.6%
Owner80.4%
Renter19.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How La Plata, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$108,043 → $121,208
up 12.2%
Population
10,054 → 10,683
up 6.3%
Renter share
23.6% → 19.6%
-4.0 pts
Bachelor's+
33.5% → 35.4%
+1.9 pts
Median age
42.6 → 41.7
-0.9 yrs

Median household income grew from $108,043 to $121,208 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.2% shift. Headcount in the area went from 10,054 to 10,683 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.3% change. About 19.6% of households rent today, against 23.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about La Plata

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View La Plata rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in La Plata on your salary?

At $2,436/mo, how La Plata rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

La Plata rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in La Plata

About renting in La Plata, MD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in La Plata is $2,436/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,790/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,510/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($121,208/yr), La Plata ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is La Plata an affordable city for renters?

La Plata is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,436/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($121,208/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. La Plata falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in La Plata?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,436/mo in La Plata. The local median household income is $121,208/yr, meaning the typical La Plata household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in La Plata?

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

How does La Plata rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

La Plata is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #21 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,436/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than La Plata?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than La Plata ($2,436/mo): Fort Washington ($1,727/mo), Fort Belvoir ($2,107/mo), Waldorf ($2,249/mo).

What percentage of La Plata residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.6% of La Plata households are renters, while 80.4% are owner-occupied. La Plata leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does La Plata rent compare to the national average?

La Plata's median rent of $2,436/mo is $471 (24%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #21 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,436/mo, rent takes ~24% of La Plata's median household income ($121,208/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

La Plata 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the La Plata affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near La Plata, MD

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