salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 34.8 minutes each way. Most homes (83.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $109,920 a year. That is $53 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maryland cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Maryland. It is number 174 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bowie?
Share of households by yearly income. 59.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bowie
| Size | Bowie | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,827 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,211 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,390 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,596 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,928 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bowie overall?
Everyday prices in Maryland overall are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Bowie, so the Maryland figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Bowie
Life in Bowie
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bowie?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $439 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $459,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,930 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bowie, MD?
Renting in Bowie costs a median of about $2,748 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Bowie?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $109,920 a year, or $53 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bowie cheap or expensive?
Bowie is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $153,142. It ranks 174th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bowie?
The median homeowner in Bowie pays $5,661 a year in property taxes, about 1.23% of the median home value.
Is Bowie more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Maryland are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bowie?
The median home value in Bowie is $459,300, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
57,926 people live in Bowie. Numbers are typical (middle) values.