City Report · MD

Rockville

Pop. 67,671·21st most expensive in Maryland·Rockville rents are up 5.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,416/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.4%
vs US Median
+$454
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rockville · $2,416
More expensive than 77% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Rockville's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,416/mo
Expected by trend
$2,389/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rockville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,297
1 BR
$2,343
2 BR
$2,640
3 BR
$3,303
4 BR+
$3,893
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,640/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,416 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
$28,992/yr
At $2,416/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.2% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rockville, MD is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 65.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
67,671
Median income
$128,649
Median age
39.6
Renters
47.4%
Age distribution
20.2%
22.7%
26.6%
18.8%
Under 1820.2%
18–3422.7%
35–5426.6%
55–6411.7%
65+18.8%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
45.6%
18.1%
22.5%
White45.6%
Black11.5%
Hispanic18.1%
Asian22.5%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
16.6%
65.6%
No HS diploma7.3%
HS diploma10.6%
Some college16.6%
Bachelor's+65.6%
Housing tenure
52.6%
47.4%
Owner52.6%
Renter47.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rockville, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,882 → $2,416
up 28.4%
Income
$116,031 → $128,649
up 10.9%
Population
67,095 → 67,671
up 0.9%
Renter share
44.8% → 47.4%
+2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
65.3% → 65.6%
+0.3 pts

Five years ago, renters in Rockville, MD paid around $1,882 a month. That figure now sits near $2,416, up 28.4% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $116,031 to $128,649 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.9% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has risen from 44.8% to 47.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in Rockville, MD reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Rockville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rockville on your salary?

At $2,416/mo, how Rockville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rockville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rockville

About renting in Rockville, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rockville is $2,416/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,297/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,343/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,303/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($128,649/yr), Rockville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rockville an affordable city for renters?

Rockville is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,416/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($128,649/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rockville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rockville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,416/mo in Rockville. The local median household income is $128,649/yr, meaning the typical Rockville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rockville?

Rent in Rockville has increased 5.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Rockville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rockville are 20852 ($2,287/mo), 20850 ($2,546/mo), and 20851 ($2,897/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Rockville is $2,416/mo.

How does Rockville rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Rockville is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #21 out of 94 tracked cities at $2,416/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rockville?

Gaithersburg is nearby and more affordable at $2,184/mo, which is $232 less than Rockville.

What percentage of Rockville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.4% of Rockville households are renters, while 52.6% are owner-occupied. Rockville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rockville rent compare to the national average?

Rockville's median rent of $2,416/mo is $454 (23%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #21 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,416/mo, rent takes ~23% of Rockville's median household income ($128,649/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rockville 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Rockville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rockville, MD

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