salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 100% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Most homes (84.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 84.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $145,440 a year. That is $70 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 199 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Potomac?
Share of households by yearly income. 72.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Potomac
| Size | Potomac | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,179 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,788 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,182 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,456 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Potomac 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 Potomac, so the Maryland figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Potomac
Life in Potomac
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Potomac?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,392 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,157,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $115,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Potomac, MD?
Renting in Potomac costs a median of about $3,636 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Potomac?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $145,440 a year, or $70 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Potomac cheap or expensive?
Potomac is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.1% of the typical household income of $255,254. It ranks 199th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Potomac?
The median homeowner in Potomac pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.86% of the median home value.
Is Potomac 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 Potomac?
The median home value in Potomac is $1,157,000, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
45,902 people live in Potomac. Numbers are typical (middle) values.