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City Report · MD

Ocean City

Pop. 6,903·27th most expensive in Maryland·Rental market data updated monthly for Ocean City, MD
Median rent (all units)
$2,350/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.3%
vs US Median
+$385
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ocean City · $2,350
More expensive than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,350/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$94,000/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
Research median
$1,375/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$28,200/yr
At $2,350/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, -2.3% 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 $2,350/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: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Ocean City is $2,350/mo as of June 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 36% 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 $2,350/mo, rent takes approximately 36% 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 $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,350/mo in Ocean City. The local median household income is $77,750/yr, meaning the typical Ocean City household falls short of 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 June 2026.

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

Ocean City is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #27 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,350/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ocean City ($2,350/mo): Fruitland ($1,595/mo), Salisbury ($1,641/mo), Lewes ($2,170/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 $2,350/mo is $385 (20%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #27 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,350/mo, rent takes ~36% of Ocean City's median household income ($77,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ocean City 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Ocean City affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Ocean City
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ocean City, MD

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