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City Report · MD

North Potomac

Pop. 23,922·4th most expensive in Maryland·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,061/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.7%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
+$1,099
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
North Potomac · $3,061
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,061/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$122,000/yr
Local median income
$186,514/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using North Potomac's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$2,124
2 BR
$2,267
3 BR
$2,660
4 BR+
$3,501
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,267/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,061 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
$36,732/yr
At $3,061/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.7% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
23,922
Median income
$186,514
Median age
46.5
Renters
17.1%
Age distribution
20.7%
16.4%
26.7%
14.8%
21.4%
Under 1820.7%
18–3416.4%
35–5426.7%
55–6414.8%
65+21.4%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
44%
40.6%
White44%
Black6.2%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian40.6%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
12.7%
77.2%
No HS diploma3.9%
HS diploma6.3%
Some college12.7%
Bachelor's+77.2%
Housing tenure
82.9%
17.1%
Owner82.9%
Renter17.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How North Potomac, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$174,591 → $186,514
up 6.8%
Population
24,449 → 23,922
down 2.2%
Renter share
17.1% → 17.1%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
76.6% → 77.2%
+0.6 pts
Median age
44.4 → 46.5
+2.1 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about North Potomac

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View North Potomac rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in North Potomac on your salary?

At $3,061/mo, how North Potomac rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

North Potomac rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in North Potomac

About renting in North Potomac, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in North Potomac is $3,061/mo as of August 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 20% of local median household income ($186,514/yr), North Potomac ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is North Potomac an affordable city for renters?

North Potomac is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,061/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($186,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. North Potomac falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in North Potomac?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $122,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,061/mo in North Potomac. The local median household income is $186,514/yr, meaning the typical North Potomac household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in North Potomac?

Rent in North Potomac has decreased 0.7% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does North Potomac rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

North Potomac is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #4 out of 94 tracked cities at $3,061/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than North Potomac?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than North Potomac ($3,061/mo): Germantown ($2,104/mo), Gaithersburg ($2,184/mo), Montgomery Village ($2,380/mo).

What percentage of North Potomac residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.1% of North Potomac households are renters, while 82.9% are owner-occupied. North Potomac leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does North Potomac rent compare to the national average?

North Potomac's median rent of $3,061/mo is $1,099 (56%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #4 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,061/mo, rent takes ~20% of North Potomac's median household income ($186,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

North Potomac 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the North Potomac affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near North Potomac, MD

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