At $3,201/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,201 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in North Potomac changed +2.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 81 Maryland cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.4%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($186,514) is $4,663 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,501).
Gaithersburg, 3 miles away, rents for 31% less ($2,196/mo), about $12,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for North Potomac. 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
North Potomac, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 77.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How North Potomac, MD has changed in 5 years
Median household income climbed from $174,591 to $186,514 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.8% shift. Census counts show North Potomac, MD losing about 527 residents over the five-year window, down 2.2% on net.
Discussions about North Potomac
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Can you afford rent in North Potomac on your salary?
At $3,201/mo, how North Potomac rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
North Potomac rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in North Potomac. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in North Potomac
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in North Potomac is $3,201/mo as of October 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $2,267/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,124/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,660/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($186,514/yr), North Potomac ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in North Potomac?
How does North Potomac rent compare to other cities in Maryland?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than North Potomac?
At $3,201/mo, rent takes ~21% of North Potomac's median household income ($186,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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