Most affordable counties to rent in Maryland
Ranked by how much of the typical renter household's income the typical rent takes. Garrett County is the most affordable at 27.3%; Baltimore city the least affordable at 36.5%.
| County | Rent-to-income | Median gross rent | Median renter income | Renters paying 30%+ | 2 BR FMR FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Garrett County | 27.3% | $765 | $33,613 | 35% | $1,014 |
| 2. Calvert County | 28.8% | $1,759 | $73,333 | 48% | $1,890 |
| 3. Howard County | 29.3% | $2,099 | $86,111 | 48% | $2,006 |
| 4. Allegany County | 29.4% | $805 | $32,819 | 44% | $1,014 |
| 5. St. Mary's County | 29.7% | $1,747 | $70,538 | 46% | $1,787 |
| 6. Frederick County | 29.8% | $1,774 | $71,549 | 49% | $2,438 |
| 7. Washington County | 29.8% | $1,147 | $46,255 | 47% | $1,284 |
| 8. Anne Arundel County | 29.8% | $2,071 | $83,319 | 47% | $2,006 |
| 9. Wicomico County | 30.0% | $1,327 | $53,082 | 50% | $1,428 |
| 10. Caroline County | 30.3% | $1,105 | $43,828 | 56% | $1,320 |
| 11. Carroll County | 30.3% | $1,427 | $56,548 | 49% | $2,006 |
| 12. Worcester County | 31.0% | $1,159 | $44,914 | 55% | $1,184 |
| 13. Montgomery County | 31.1% | $2,068 | $79,810 | 52% | $2,438 |
| 14. Talbot County | 31.2% | $1,256 | $48,377 | 52% | $1,421 |
| 15. Charles County | 31.8% | $1,920 | $72,445 | 46% | $2,438 |
| 16. Prince George's County | 31.9% | $1,799 | $67,658 | 53% | $2,438 |
| 17. Harford County | 32.0% | $1,586 | $59,458 | 49% | $2,006 |
| 18. Queen Anne's County | 32.0% | $1,619 | $60,684 | 54% | $2,006 |
| 19. Dorchester County | 32.9% | $1,032 | $37,694 | 56% | $1,159 |
| 20. Baltimore County | 33.0% | $1,627 | $59,087 | 54% | $2,006 |
| 21. Kent County | 33.2% | $1,209 | $43,741 | 60% | $1,241 |
| 22. Cecil County | 34.2% | $1,377 | $48,331 | 50% | $1,860 |
| 23. Baltimore city | 36.5% | $1,331 | $43,788 | 54% | $2,006 |
Rent-to-income = median gross rent × 12 ÷ median household income of renters. Both are medians of different households, so this is an area comparison, not the burden of any one household. 1 of 24 county is left out because they have fewer than 500 renter households, a Census margin of error is too large (coefficient of variation above 15%) or a figure is not published.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024 and 2015–2019 (tables B25064, B25119, B25070). ± = margin of error at 90% confidence. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation. FMR: HUD FY2027.
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