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City Report · MD

Sykesville

Pop. 4,491·35th most expensive in Maryland·Rental market data updated monthly for Sykesville, MD
Median rent (all units)
$2,184/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.1%
vs US Median
+$222
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sykesville · $2,184
More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,184/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$87,000/yr
Local median income
$139,556/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sykesville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,480
1 BR
$1,690
2 BR
$2,070
3 BR
$2,660
4 BR+
$2,980
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,184 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
$26,208/yr
At $2,184/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, -4.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sykesville, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 56.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,491
Median income
$139,556
Median age
34.8
Renters
22.5%
Age distribution
29.8%
20.8%
30.4%
13.2%
Under 1829.8%
18–3420.8%
35–5430.4%
55–645.9%
65+13.2%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
74.8%
14.1%
White74.8%
Black14.1%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian3.6%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
23.1%
18.1%
56.7%
No HS diploma2.1%
HS diploma23.1%
Some college18.1%
Bachelor's+56.7%
Housing tenure
77.5%
22.5%
Owner77.5%
Renter22.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sykesville, MD has changed in 5 years

Income
$120,083 → $139,556
up 16.2%
Population
4,260 → 4,491
up 5.4%
Renter share
34.8% → 22.5%
-12.3 pts
Bachelor's+
53.8% → 56.7%
+2.9 pts
Median age
32.9 → 34.8
+1.9 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Sykesville, MD now reports about $139,556, up from $120,083 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 4,260 to 4,491 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.4% change. About 22.5% of households rent today, against 34.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 53.8% to 56.7%.

Community

Discussions about Sykesville

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

Can you afford rent in Sykesville on your salary?

At $2,184/mo, how Sykesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sykesville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sykesville

About renting in Sykesville, MD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Sykesville is $2,184/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,480/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,660/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($139,556/yr), Sykesville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sykesville an affordable city for renters?

Sykesville is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,184/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($139,556/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sykesville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sykesville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,184/mo in Sykesville. The local median household income is $139,556/yr, meaning the typical Sykesville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sykesville?

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

How does Sykesville rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Sykesville is middle-of-the-pack for Maryland for rent, ranking #35 out of 94 tracked cities at $2,184/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sykesville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sykesville ($2,184/mo): Reisterstown ($1,474/mo), Randallstown ($1,478/mo), Westminster ($1,689/mo).

What percentage of Sykesville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.5% of Sykesville households are renters, while 77.5% are owner-occupied. Sykesville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sykesville rent compare to the national average?

Sykesville's median rent of $2,184/mo is $222 (11%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #35 out of 94 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,184/mo, rent takes ~19% of Sykesville's median household income ($139,556/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sykesville 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Sykesville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Sykesville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sykesville, MD

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