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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 20878

Pop. 66,115·Montgomery County·35th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$2,351/mo
Year-over-Year
-4.2%
Month-over-Month
+1.3%
vs US Median
+$386
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 20878 · $2,351
More expensive than 75% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,100
1 BR
$2,160
2 BR
$2,410
3 BR
$3,040
4 BR+
$3,580
Research median
$2,410/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,212/yr
At $2,351/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyMontgomery County
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-4.2% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 20878 (Gaithersburg, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 70.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
66,115
Median income
$144,313
Median age
41.4
Renters
30.8%
Age distribution
22%
18.2%
30.3%
13.5%
16%
Under 1822%
18–3418.2%
35–5430.3%
55–6413.5%
65+16%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
45.5%
14.2%
27.4%
White45.5%
Black10.4%
Hispanic14.2%
Asian27.4%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
15%
70.3%
No HS diploma4.1%
HS diploma10.6%
Some college15%
Bachelor's+70.3%
Housing tenure
69.2%
30.8%
Owner69.2%
Renter30.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 20878 in Gaithersburg, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,929 → $2,351
up 21.9%
Income
$130,469 → $144,313
up 10.6%
Population
65,999 → 66,115
up 0.2%
Renter share
32.2% → 30.8%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
70.5% → 70.3%
-0.2 pts
Median age
40.7 → 41.4
+0.7 yrs

Rent in ZIP 20878 in Gaithersburg, MD has increased 21.9% since 2021, going from about $1,929 per month to roughly $2,351 today. Census figures show median household income at $144,313 today, compared with $130,469 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 11.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 20878

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 20878 covers Gaithersburg, MD. The median rent here is $2,351/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,160/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,410/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($144,313/yr), ZIP 20878 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 20878?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 20878 (Gaithersburg, MD) is $2,351. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 20878 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 20878's median rent of $2,351/mo is $386 (20%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 20878 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 20878 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #35 out of 140 ZIPs tracked at $2,351/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 20878?

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 $2,351/mo in ZIP 20878. The local median household income is $144,313/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 20878?

Rent in ZIP 20878 has decreased 4.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 20878 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 20878 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,351/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($144,313/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 20878 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 20878 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.8% of ZIP 20878 households are renters, while 69.2% are owner-occupied. ZIP 20878 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 20878 compare to the rest of Gaithersburg?

ZIP 20878 is pricier than Gaithersburg as a whole. At $2,351/mo, it's $164 above the Gaithersburg citywide median of $2,187/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 20878 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 20878 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,351/mo, rent takes ~20% of ZIP 20878's median household income ($144,313/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 20878 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 20878 (Gaithersburg, MD)

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