Most rent-burdened cities in Maryland
Cities in Maryland ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Elkton ranks first, with rent at 39.0% of median household income.
- Across all 54 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,904/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
54 cities
| Rank | City | Rent/income | Median rent | Income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ElktonMD | 39.0% | $1,904/mo | $58,640 | same |
| 02 | College ParkMD | 36.6% | $2,125/mo | $69,721 | same |
| 03 | EastonMD | 34.2% | $2,127/mo | $74,653 | same |
| 04 | BaltimoreMD | 34.0% | $1,762/mo | $62,177 | same |
| 05 | SalisburyMD | 33.2% | $1,621/mo | $58,576 | same |
| 06 | HagerstownMD | 31.6% | $1,377/mo | $52,221 | same |
| 07 | AberdeenMD | 30.8% | $1,918/mo | $74,826 | same |
| 08 | ClintonMD | 30.5% | $3,173/mo | $124,803 | -- |
| 09 | EssexMD | 30.1% | $1,685/mo | $67,168 | ↓1 from #8 |
| 10 | Montgomery VillageMD | 29.9% | $2,372/mo | $95,348 | ↑1 from #11 |
| 11 | GreenbeltMD | 29.3% | $2,098/mo | $85,997 | ↓1 from #10 |
| 12 | CockeysvilleMD | 29.1% | $1,884/mo | $77,680 | ↓3 from #9 |
| 13 | DundalkMD | 27.2% | $1,460/mo | $64,520 | ↓1 from #12 |
| 14 | ChillumMD | 26.7% | $1,779/mo | $79,864 | ↑1 from #15 |
| 15 | FrederickMD | 26.6% | $2,155/mo | $97,069 | ↓1 from #14 |
| 16 | Middle RiverMD | 26.1% | $1,708/mo | $78,398 | ↓3 from #13 |
| 17 | EdgewoodMD | 26.0% | $1,750/mo | $80,772 | same |
| 18 | Brooklyn ParkMD | 25.5% | $1,869/mo | $87,989 | -- |
| 19 | ParkvilleMD | 25.4% | $1,675/mo | $79,178 | ↑3 from #22 |
| 20 | CumberlandMD | 25.4% | $1,018/mo | $48,162 | ↓1 from #19 |
| 21 | HyattsvilleMD | 25.3% | $1,936/mo | $91,941 | ↓5 from #16 |
| 22 | East RiverdaleMD | 24.9% | $1,696/mo | $81,831 | ↓4 from #18 |
| 23 | AnnapolisMD | 24.7% | $2,344/mo | $113,860 | ↓3 from #20 |
| 24 | WaldorfMD | 24.2% | $2,345/mo | $116,089 | ↑3 from #27 |
| 25 | Owings MillsMD | 23.7% | $1,904/mo | $96,243 | same |
| 26 | WestminsterMD | 23.7% | $1,705/mo | $86,219 | ↓2 from #24 |
| 27 | RossvilleMD | 23.7% | $1,778/mo | $90,000 | ↑2 from #29 |
| 28 | Oxon HillMD | 23.7% | $1,839/mo | $93,252 | same |
| 29 | Silver SpringMD | 23.7% | $1,969/mo | $99,860 | ↓8 from #21 |
| 30 | LochearnMD | 23.6% | $1,470/mo | $74,707 | ↑1 from #31 |
| 31 | PasadenaMD | 23.5% | $2,543/mo | $129,727 | ↑1 from #32 |
| 32 | Glen BurnieMD | 23.5% | $1,729/mo | $88,280 | ↓6 from #26 |
| 33 | GaithersburgMD | 23.4% | $2,196/mo | $112,467 | ↓10 from #23 |
| 34 | OdentonMD | 23.2% | $2,481/mo | $128,441 | ↓1 from #33 |
| 35 | LaurelMD | 23.1% | $1,938/mo | $100,504 | ↓5 from #30 |
| 36 | PotomacMD | 22.4% | $4,426/mo | $236,675 | same |
| 37 | TowsonMD | 22.2% | $1,871/mo | $101,320 | ↓2 from #35 |
| 38 | RockvilleMD | 22.1% | $2,372/mo | $128,649 | ↓4 from #34 |
| 39 | CarneyMD | 21.5% | $1,497/mo | $83,620 | ↓2 from #37 |
| 40 | BowieMD | 21.1% | $2,501/mo | $141,995 | ↓2 from #38 |
| 41 | ColumbiaMD | 20.8% | $2,278/mo | $131,490 | ↑3 from #44 |
| 42 | RandallstownMD | 20.8% | $1,483/mo | $85,735 | ↓3 from #39 |
| 43 | GermantownMD | 20.7% | $2,026/mo | $117,546 | ↓2 from #41 |
| 44 | ReisterstownMD | 20.7% | $1,473/mo | $85,543 | ↓1 from #43 |
| 45 | North PotomacMD | 20.6% | $3,201/mo | $186,514 | ↓5 from #40 |
| 46 | ElkridgeMD | 20.4% | $2,379/mo | $139,913 | same |
| 47 | BeltsvilleMD | 20.1% | $1,673/mo | $99,642 | ↓2 from #45 |
| 48 | SevernMD | 20.0% | $2,236/mo | $134,423 | ↓6 from #42 |
| 49 | Ellicott CityMD | 19.8% | $2,596/mo | $156,964 | ↓2 from #47 |
| 50 | CroftonMD | 19.4% | $2,439/mo | $150,577 | ↓2 from #48 |