Maryland Residential Rent and Rental Statistics
The median monthly gross residential rent in Maryland was $1,401 in 2019 according to the Census ACS survey.1 Average gross rent was $1,383 in 2019. The median rent more accurately depicts rental rates in the middle of the distribution of rents and is thus preferred in the analysis below. 2020 Maryland median and average rent data will be released in September of 2021.
Data is also available below for Maryland rental vacancy rates, Maryland rent as a percent of median income and the fraction of renters in Maryland.
Real Gross Rent in Maryland (2019 dollars)2
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Median Gross Rent | $1,097 | +1.86% | +6.82% |
| Maryland Median Gross Rent | $1,401 | +0.36% | +1.82% |
Maryland Real Gross Rent Trends
At $1,401, real median gross rent in Maryland was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005. At $1,383, real average gross rent in Maryland was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005.
Real Gross Rent in Maryland: Median, Average, US Median
Real Gross Rent History for Maryland
| Date | US Median | Maryland Median | Maryland Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,097 | $1,401 | $1,383 |
| 2018 | $1,077 | $1,396 | $1,371 |
| 2017 | $1,043 | $1,379 | $1,363 |
| 2016 | $1,027 | $1,376 | $1,363 |
| 2015 | $1,017 | $1,356 | $1,358 |
| 2014 | $986 | $1,311 | $1,320 |
| 2013 | $953 | $1,274 | $1,285 |
| 2012 | $940 | $1,245 | $1,268 |
| 2011 | $941 | $1,245 | $1,262 |
| 2010 | $955 | $1,264 | $1,272 |
| 2009 | $960 | $1,263 | $1,278 |
| 2007 | $927 | $1,175 | $1,189 |
| 2005 | $910 | $1,114 | $1,110 |
Maryland Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate is the fraction of homes for rent that are not occupied.3 In 2019 the rental vacancy rate for Maryland was 6.29% according to Census ACS data.
Rental Vacancy Rate in Maryland
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5.97% | -0.18% | +0.08% |
| Maryland | 6.29% | -0.27% | +0.75% |
Trends in Maryland Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate in Maryland peaked in 2009 at 9.09%. Since then it has fallen by 2.80% to 6.29%. Data records for this series originated in 2005. From a 2016 post peak low of 5.54%, the rental vacancy rate has increased by 0.75%.
Rental Vacancy Rate: Maryland, US
Historical Rental Vacancy Rate data for Maryland
| Date | US | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.97% | 6.29% |
| 2018 | 6.15% | 6.56% |
| 2017 | 6.18% | 5.94% |
| 2016 | 5.89% | 5.54% |
| 2015 | 5.85% | 5.65% |
| 2014 | 6.32% | 6.83% |
| 2013 | 6.49% | 6.96% |
| 2012 | 6.77% | 6.99% |
| 2011 | 7.40% | 7.10% |
| 2010 | 8.17% | 7.53% |
| 2009 | 8.43% | 9.09% |
| 2007 | 7.87% | 8.78% |
| 2005 | 7.74% | 6.14% |
Maryland Rent as a Fraction of Income
Using median household income data for Maryland, we can calculate the fraction of income the median household would use to pay rent at the median monthly gross rent rate. For Maryland, median monthly gross rent as a fraction of median household income was 19.38% in 2019 according to the ACS.
Maryland Median Annual Rent as a Fraction of Median Household Income
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 20.03% | -0.47% | -0.40% |
| Maryland | 19.38% | -0.38% | -0.59% |
Trends in Maryland Rent as a Fraction of Income
The fraction of median Maryland household income required to pay median monthly gross rent peaked in 2015 (relative to the 2005 series origin) at 20.22%. Since then it has fallen by 0.84% to 19.38%.
Fraction of Income towards Rent: Maryland, US
Historical Data for Annual Rent as a Fraction of Income in Maryland
| Date | US | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20.03% | 19.38% |
| 2018 | 20.50% | 19.76% |
| 2017 | 20.13% | 19.86% |
| 2016 | 20.43% | 19.97% |
| 2015 | 20.63% | 20.22% |
| 2014 | 20.89% | 20.15% |
| 2013 | 20.78% | 20.03% |
| 2012 | 20.65% | 19.74% |
| 2011 | 20.70% | 19.76% |
| 2010 | 20.50% | 19.71% |
| 2009 | 20.12% | 19.19% |
| 2007 | 18.66% | 17.63% |
| 2005 | 18.89% | 17.36% |
Renter Fraction in Maryland
You can calculate the renter fraction in Maryland in at least two ways: by housing units or by population. I've gone with the housing units measure here. This measure looks at the number of renting households in Maryland as a fraction of total Maryland households. In 2019 33.17% of households were renters according to Census ACS data.
Maryland Fraction of Renters by Household Units
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 35.89% | -0.16% | -0.99% |
| Maryland | 33.17% | +0.08% | -0.94% |
Trends in the Maryland Renter Fraction
The Maryland household renter fraction peaked in in 2014 at 34.11% and is now 0.94% below that level. The origin year for the series is 2005.
Fraction of Renting Households: Maryland, US
History of Maryland Renter Fraction
| Date | US | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 35.89% | 33.17% |
| 2018 | 36.05% | 33.09% |
| 2017 | 36.13% | 33.29% |
| 2016 | 36.88% | 34.11% |
| 2015 | 36.97% | 34.06% |
| 2014 | 36.90% | 34.11% |
| 2013 | 36.50% | 33.53% |
| 2012 | 36.09% | 33.54% |
| 2011 | 35.42% | 32.66% |
| 2010 | 34.65% | 32.96% |
| 2009 | 34.13% | 31.44% |
| 2007 | 32.80% | 30.08% |
| 2005 | 33.10% | 31.02% |
1. Gross rent is defined as contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and fuel (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.). Because some rentals include utilities and others don't, gross rent is a way of normalizing the variability. ↩
2. Real dollars are calculated using the CPI-U less shelter series. ↩
3. The rental vacancy rate is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for rent by the sum of the renter-occupied units, vacant units that are for rent, and vacant units that have been rented but not yet occupied. ↩
