How much does it cost to rent in Potomac, MD?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Potomac, MD is $4,746. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Potomac cheaper than other Maryland cities?

Potomac is one of the pricier cities in Maryland, ranking #1 out of 94 cities tracked at $4,746/mo.

When was Potomac rent data last updated?

Potomac rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Potomac, MD?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Potomac, MD at $3,470 per month, which is 27% below the $4,746 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · MD

Potomac

Name: Average Rent Prices in Potomac, MD
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 45,902·1st most expensive in Maryland·Potomac rents are up 33.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$4,746/mo

Year-over-Year

+33.3%

Month-over-Month

+9.4%

vs US Median

+$2,784

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Potomac · $4,746

More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

5/100

Overheated

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 23% above what Potomac's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$4,746/mo

Expected by trend

$3,872/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Potomac's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,020

1 BR

$3,080

2 BR

$3,470

3 BR

$4,340

4 BR+

$5,120

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$3,470/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,746 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$56,952/yr

At $4,746/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 33.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+33.3% YoY, +9.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Potomac, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 84.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

45,902

Median income

$236,675

Median age

47.4

Renters

15.2%

Age distribution

23.3%

26.2%

14.3%

24.2%

Under 1823.3%

18–3412%

35–5426.2%

55–6414.3%

65+24.2%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

60.8%

20.4%

White60.8%

Black4.6%

Hispanic10.1%

Asian20.4%

Other4%

Education (25+)

84.9%

No HS diploma2.5%

HS diploma4.3%

Some college8.3%

Bachelor's+84.9%

Housing tenure

84.8%

15.2%

Owner84.8%

Renter15.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Potomac, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,259 → $4,746

up 45.6%

Income

$198,870 → $236,675

up 19.0%

Population

46,891 → 45,902

down 2.1%

Renter share

15.1% → 15.2%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

83.8% → 84.9%

+1.1 pts

Median age

46.6 → 47.4

+0.8 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Potomac, MD has climbed from $3,259 to $4,746, a 45.6% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Potomac, MD now reports about $236,675, up from $198,870 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 46,891 residents to roughly 45,902. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Potomac, MD reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Potomac

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View Potomac rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Potomac on your salary?

At $4,746/mo, how Potomac rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $102,038/yr · Rent = 55.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $72,446/yr · Rent = 78.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $83,452/yr · Rent = 68.2% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $149,159/yr · Rent = 38.2% income

stretched

Lawyer

Avg $190,588/yr · Rent = 29.9% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $67,835/yr · Rent = 84% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $61,247/yr · Rent = 93% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $75,492/yr · Rent = 75.4% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Potomac rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Potomac

About renting in Potomac, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Potomac is $4,746/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,340/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($236,675/yr), Potomac ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 33.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Potomac an affordable city for renters?

Potomac is considered very affordable for renters. At $4,746/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($236,675/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Potomac falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Potomac?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $190,000/year (~$91/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,746/mo in Potomac. The local median household income is $236,675/yr, meaning the typical Potomac household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Potomac?

Rent in Potomac has increased 33.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Potomac rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Potomac is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #1 out of 94 tracked cities at $4,746/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Potomac?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Potomac ($4,746/mo): Rockville ($2,416/mo), McLean ($2,772/mo), North Potomac ($3,061/mo).

What percentage of Potomac residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 15.2% of Potomac households are renters, while 84.8% are owner-occupied. Potomac leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Potomac rent compare to the national average?

Potomac's median rent of $4,746/mo is $2,784 (142%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #1 out of 94 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $4,746/mo, rent takes ~24% of Potomac's median household income ($236,675/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Potomac 24%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Potomac affordability calculator →

Nearby cities