City Report · MD

Ocean City

Pop. 6,903·50th most expensive in Maryland·Rental market data updated monthly for Ocean City, MD
Median rent (all units)
$1,925/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-18.1%
vs US Median
-$37
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ocean City · $1,925
More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,925/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$77,000/yr
Local median income
$77,750/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ocean City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$1,132
2 BR
$1,375
3 BR
$1,662
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,375/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,925 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
$23,100/yr
At $1,925/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -18.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ocean City, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,903
Median income
$77,750
Median age
55.6
Renters
25.8%
Age distribution
21.4%
18.1%
19.8%
31.2%
Under 189.4%
18–3421.4%
35–5418.1%
55–6419.8%
65+31.2%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
85.6%
White85.6%
Black1.6%
Hispanic9.5%
Asian1.7%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
24.5%
28.8%
41.7%
No HS diploma5%
HS diploma24.5%
Some college28.8%
Bachelor's+41.7%
Housing tenure
74.2%
25.8%
Owner74.2%
Renter25.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ocean City, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,563 → $77,750
up 32.8%
Population
6,869 → 6,903
up 0.5%
Renter share
28.2% → 25.8%
-2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
35.8% → 41.7%
+5.9 pts
Median age
56.2 → 55.6
-0.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Ocean City, MD now reports about $77,750, up from $58,563 in 2021. Renters now make up 25.8% of households, compared with 28.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 41.7% of adults here, versus 35.8% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Ocean City

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View Ocean City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ocean City on your salary?

At $1,925/mo, how Ocean City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ocean City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Ocean City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ocean City

About renting in Ocean City, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ocean City is $1,925/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,375/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,132/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,662/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($77,750/yr), Ocean City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ocean City an affordable city for renters?

Ocean City is considered moderate for renters. At $1,925/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($77,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ocean City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Ocean City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,925/mo in Ocean City. The local median household income is $77,750/yr, meaning the typical Ocean City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ocean City?

Rent in Ocean City has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Ocean City rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Ocean City is middle-of-the-pack for Maryland for rent, ranking #50 out of 94 tracked cities at $1,925/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ocean City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ocean City ($1,925/mo): Salisbury ($1,588/mo), Fruitland ($1,595/mo).

What percentage of Ocean City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.8% of Ocean City households are renters, while 74.2% are owner-occupied. Ocean City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ocean City rent compare to the national average?

Ocean City's median rent of $1,925/mo is $37 (2%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #50 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,925/mo, rent takes ~30% of Ocean City's median household income ($77,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ocean City 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Ocean City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ocean City, MD

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