Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 98% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. Most homes (86.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 83.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $146,440 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 200 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South Kensington?
Share of households by yearly income. 68.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South Kensington
| Size | South Kensington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $3,500+ | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,069 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,147 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,332 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South Kensington 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 South Kensington, so the Maryland figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in South Kensington
Life in South Kensington
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South Kensington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,721 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $919,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $91,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Kensington, MD?
Renting in South Kensington costs a median of about $3,661 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in South Kensington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $146,440 a year, or $70 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South Kensington cheap or expensive?
South Kensington is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.3% of the typical household income of $227,513. It ranks 200th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South Kensington?
The median homeowner in South Kensington pays $7,750 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is South Kensington 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 South Kensington?
The median home value in South Kensington is $919,800, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
8,148 people live in South Kensington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.