1st Advantage MortgageMontgomery County households have a median income of $132,450 and median rent of $2,068 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Montgomery County offer.
On this page
- A quick profile of Montgomery County
- Household income in Montgomery County
- Employment and commuting in Montgomery County
- How Montgomery County ranks in Maryland
- Housing costs in Montgomery County
- Counties near Montgomery County
- The communities that make up Montgomery County
- $11,038 a month: the Montgomery County median budget
- Montgomery County demographics against Maryland
- Reading the Montgomery County data as a borrower
- A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
- Other Maryland guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Montgomery County
Roughly 1,065,949 residents live in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1st by population among the state's 24 counties and county equivalents. Density: about 2,161.5 residents per square mile across 493 square miles of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Germantown is the biggest of its 59 Census places, at roughly 90,719 people (9% of the county total).
Household income in Montgomery County
$132,450 is the median household income for Montgomery County, set against $103,678 for Maryland. In the state ranking that is 3rd of 24.
| Income band | Share in Montgomery County | Difference from Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 11.8% | -4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 26.3% | -6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.9% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 31.1% | +10.8 pts |
Six-figure households (62%) outnumber those under $35,000 (12%) in Montgomery County. Census counts 7.5% of Montgomery County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Maryland. For a borrower in Montgomery County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Montgomery County
Professional and administrative services employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 22%. Professional and administrative services stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 17% statewide. 4.9% of Montgomery County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 53% drive to work alone and 25% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 8.5% of Montgomery County households.
| Top industries | Montgomery County share | +/- vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 23.0% | +6.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.0% | -1.9 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.2% | -1.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.5% | +1.4 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Montgomery County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
How Montgomery County ranks in Maryland
Where Montgomery County lands at the extremes of Maryland's county rankings:
- Montgomery County ranks the highest of 24 Maryland counties for median home value: $640,300, against $419,900 statewide. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- Montgomery County ranks the highest of 24 Maryland counties for population: 1,065,949, against 6,206,011 statewide. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- Few Maryland counties match Montgomery County on the share of workers who work from home: 28.3% here, 19.3% for the state, ranking the highest of 24. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Few Maryland counties match Montgomery County on the share of mobile homes: 0.2% here, 1.3% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 24. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
Housing costs in Montgomery County
Half of Montgomery County renters pay more than $2,068 a month and half pay less; the Maryland midpoint is $1,705. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. With a median value of $640,300, a typical Montgomery County house costs 4.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 65%. The median year built is 1980.
| Montgomery County | Maryland | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $640,300 | $419,900 | 52% higher |
| Owners | 65% | 68% | -2.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $2,068/mo | $1,705/mo | 21% higher |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% | 1.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 27% | -0.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 51% | +0.2 pts |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Counties near Montgomery County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 22 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Montgomery County's $132,450 median trails 4 of the six and beats 2; the range runs $109,870 (District of Columbia) to $153,637 (Fairfax County). The list crosses into District of Columbia, Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $132,450 | $2,068/mo | 65% |
| Howard County, MD | 17 mi | $149,763 | $2,099/mo | 71% |
| Falls Church city, VA | 18 mi | $143,262 | $2,190/mo | 53% |
| Arlington County, VA | 19 mi | $142,114 | $2,322/mo | 41% |
| District of Columbia, DC | 19 mi | $109,870 | $1,954/mo | 42% |
| Fairfax city, VA | 20 mi | $132,348 | $2,245/mo | 70% |
| Fairfax County, VA | 22 mi | $153,637 | $2,276/mo | 69% |
The communities that make up Montgomery County
59 Census places fall mainly inside Montgomery County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 1,030,256 residents, leaving about 3% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Travilah ($250,001) and Leisure World ($62,011) mark the top and bottom of Montgomery County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Ashton-Sandy Spring ($1,369) and steepest in Travilah ($3,501). Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Montgomery County community.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | CDP | 90,719 | $117,546 | $2,040 | 4 mi |
| Silver Spring | CDP | 81,462 | $99,860 | $1,913 | 14 mi |
| Gaithersburg | city | 69,825 | $112,467 | $2,058 | 1 mi |
| Bethesda | CDP | 69,397 | $192,237 | $2,469 | 11 mi |
| Rockville | city | 67,671 | $128,649 | $2,274 | 5 mi |
| Aspen Hill | CDP | 53,279 | $111,575 | $1,916 | 7 mi |
| Wheaton | CDP | 52,926 | $111,478 | $2,163 | 10 mi |
| North Bethesda | CDP | 49,677 | $129,092 | $2,191 | 8 mi |
| Potomac | CDP | 45,902 | $236,675 | $2,887 | 9 mi |
| Olney | CDP | 35,797 | $171,458 | $2,404 | 7 mi |
| Montgomery Village | CDP | 34,110 | $95,348 | $1,916 | 4 mi |
| Clarksburg | CDP | 30,487 | $176,678 | $2,495 | 7 mi |
| Fairland | CDP | 26,231 | $98,800 | $1,894 | 14 mi |
| North Potomac | CDP | 23,922 | $186,514 | $2,413 | 3 mi |
$11,038 a month: the Montgomery County median budget
DTI math using Montgomery County medians ($132,450 income, $2,068 rent):
- Start: $11,038 gross per month ($132,450 / 12)
- Less median rent of $2,068, which is 19% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $2,678 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Montgomery County demographics against Maryland
Degree holders: 61% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Montgomery County: 7.0%; Maryland: 6.3%.
| Indicator | Montgomery County | +/- Maryland | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 60.6% | +17.2 pts | +38.5 pts |
| Work from home | 28.3% | +9.0 pts | +19.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | -2.0 pts | -5.7 pts |
| Median age | 40.2 | +0.8 yrs | -1.3 yrs |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | +0.7 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.5% | -0.3 pts | +3.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 0.0 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Minutes to work | Montgomery County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 14.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.1% |
| 60+ min | 12.4% |
Reading the Montgomery County data as a borrower
- Keeping the car running. At 25% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Montgomery County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Higher earners. 62% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Montgomery County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Montgomery County credit union about member loans.
Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
Consumer lenders serving Montgomery County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Maryland that is the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. Nationally, Montgomery County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Maryland: Maryland personal loans.
Other Maryland guides
Guides that cover parts of Montgomery County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Montgomery County rank on income in Maryland?
3rd of 24, with a median of $132,450. The state median is $103,678.
What do renters pay in Montgomery County?
$2,068 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Montgomery County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Germantown, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Rockville and 54 more.
Does living in Montgomery County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Montgomery County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Montgomery County?
Start with the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.