Apartments for Rent in Baltimore
Howdy! Welcome to Charm City, aka "Balmer" according to locals. If you’re a newbie, use this guide to get acquainted. In Baltimore, if you don’t act like a stranger and you won’t be treated like one. However, if you’re a vet, feel free to branch out and pick a place you’ve never heard of to explore.
Wondering what to expect from rentals in Baltimore? Well, if you've ever dreamed of living in a quaint brick row-house from the 18th century, the good news is that there are lots of them. Though not all from colonial times, and you'll need to know the right neighborhoods, snagging one of these iconic abodes is definitely part of the appeal for many renters. Areas like Federal Hill, Fell's Point, and and Highlandtown are all known for their well-maintained row-houses.
Baltimore landlords and apartment managers typically ask for a six-month lease and a deposit to match a month’s rent. Ask about utilities and expect to pay over $100/month for A/C in the summer and the same for heat in the winter (possibly more if your place is older and uses oil: talk about “historic features”!). Finally, expect to sit on a waiting list (up to a year, at longest) if you’re interested in a rowhouse in a popular area. If you simply can’t wait, consider the (newer, if possible) apartment complexes, which boast a higher turnover rate.
Ready to learn more? Let's take a deeper dive into what it's like to rent in Baltiomore.
Average Rent in Baltimore
The following rent averages come from current listings on our website. Rent prices listed are averages and may not reflect the cost of specific units. Rental prices can vary depending on factors like size, location, amenities, and availability.
How Much Is Rent for a Studio Apartment in Baltimore?
On average, expect to pay around $1,514 per month for a studio apartment in Baltimore.
How Much Is Rent for a 1-Bedroom Apartment in Baltimore?
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Baltimore is approximately $1,722 per month.
How Much Is Rent for a 2-Bedroom Apartment in Baltimore?
In Baltimore, a 2-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $2,059 per month.
How Much Is Rent for a 3-Bedroom Apartment in Baltimore?
A 3-bedroom apartment in Baltimore will cost, on average, $2,220 per month.
Transportation in Baltimore
Baltimore is definitely navigable by car, and many residents opt to drive. Additionally, biking lanes have become more popular in recent years, and the city also has a public transit system:
- MTA: The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) operates a comprehensive public transportation system in Baltimore, including:
- Buses: The most extensive network, with CityLink offering high-frequency routes and LocalLink serving neighborhoods.
- Metro Subway: A single line connecting Johns Hopkins Hospital with downtown and northwest suburbs.
- Light Rail: Connects suburbs to the city center, with stations often having free parking options.
- Charm City Circulator: Free bus service connecting popular attractions within downtown.
- MARC Train: While not strictly Baltimore's system, MARC provides commuter train service between Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Many of the more desirable historic areas in Baltimore City feature apartments that have residential parking only. (Cobblestone streets have their setbacks, don’t they?) That means you’ll need a sticker ($20 annually) and you’ll have to fight for a space. All the more reason to hunt down an apartment complex with garage parking included.
Pet-Friendly Apartment Hunting in Baltimore
Finding a pet-friendly apartment in Baltimore can feel overwhelming, but don't despair! While the city boasts a vibrant mix of cultures and energy, pet policies can vary significantly.
- Weight & breed restrictions: While dogs are popular even in the busiest parts of the city, be aware that many buildings (especially high-rises) have weight or breed limits for pets, often stricter than other locations.
- Building size and amenities: Larger buildings and those with dedicated pet amenities like dog runs are more likely to be pet-friendly.
The good news? Major rental listing websites like Apartment List allow filtering by pet-friendliness. Simply select “Dog-Friendly” or “Cat-Friendly” in your preferences when you start your search.
FAQs about Apartments in Baltimore
Still have questions about renting in Baltimore? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from people who are moving to the city for the first time:
Is rent expensive in Baltimore?
As of April 2024, across all bedroom sizes (ie, the entire rental market in Baltimore), the median rent is $1,422. That ranks # 51 in the nation, among the country's 100 largest cities. We estimate you would need to earn around $60,000 a year to comfortably afford rent at that rate, which is right around the national average income as of Q4 2023.
What is a livable salary in Baltimore?
We can use the price of renting a one-bedroom to calculate a living salary in Baltimore. Following a budgeting rule that says rent should not be more than 30% of your income, and with a median rate of $1,203 for a one-bedroom, you would need to earn around $50,000 a year in order to comfortably afford an apartment in Baltimore.
Why is rent so expensive in Baltimore?
As of April 2024, the price of rent in Baltimore has risen 1.2% over the previous year, and median rent is 2.5% higher than the national. Even though rent is rising, cost of living remain low overall for a major city, which has drawn in more renters and remote workers at the same time that its economy is growing and creating new jobs. These factors are likely main contributors to the recent rise in rental rates.
Baltimore Neighborhoods
Central: If you’re simply rollin’ in it and want to be able to taunt the crabs in Chesapeake Bay from your bathroom window, you won’t be satisfied with anything less than the Inner Harbor. Expect valet parking and all utilities included for $1600/month (1BR/1BA) or $1850/month (2BR/1BA). Second best in central Baltimore City is the Mount Vernon-Belvedere area. This area has an upscale (gorgeous old homes get friendly with blocks of apartments complexes), bohemian (hipster and artist central) vibe that mixes artsy quirk with higher education (JHU borders these hoods to the north). Bolton Hill is a collegiate-stunner with two universities, gilded statues, historic architecture and peaceful tree-lined streets. Lots of studios in this neighborhood, ranging from $650/month in some cases to $1100/month for all-inclusive units. Double-up and it gets even less expensive: 2BR/1BAs regularly go for less than $1000/month.
South: If you can’t afford a high rise in the Inner Harbor but need to be close to Downtown, look south. No, not that far—there, where the Ft. McHenry Tunnel hops over to Fells Point. That’s Locust Point; take a few steps to the left and you’re in West Federal Hill. These areas boast lots of working professionals, pubs and restaurants, but lack that yacht-crooning retirement crowd that too often characterizes South Baltimore in residents’ minds. You won’t pay under a thousand for anything out here, no matter how many (or few) bedrooms. But you might be able to snag a 2BR/1BA with a view for about $1600/month in Locust Point. Fed Hill will be slightly higher priced for the same.
North: On either side of Johns Hopkins University sit older, historic neighborhoods gentrified by young, artsy types. West of JH gets you into Wyman Park and the Hampden area; east are Abell and Charles Village (the even northerner expansion from North Charles). Things start to feel suburbany outside the expressway; but what one loses of urbanity, one gains in verdancy—it’s parks and greenspaces galore in north Balmer. Expect to pay a premium for the Abell experience (you’ll likely be fighting graduate students for the 1BRs, which run from $850 up to $1250/month). Hampden’s a little more doable: one can usually find both 1BR and 2BR/1BA apartments (sometimes even row homes!) for less than $1000/month. Johns Hopkins, Charles Village, Woodberry, if you actually like suburbia, check out Homeland: it’s a less creepy-feeling planned neighborhood a little farther north. Just be willing to drop at least a grand per month to drive past that fancy-pants sign to get to your 1BR.
Southeast: Second to North Baltimore for youngsters, Southeast has some fabulous neighborhoods. Fells Point is the choicest area: it would be unsurprising to pay over $1500/month for a 1BR (all utilities and parking in a garage included, of course). If you’re looking for parking anywhere besides the garage, you’re out of luck here. Thankfully, the area is fairly walkable and you can get all the perks of living in a major city: harbor views, posh nightlife, delicious food, luxury condos, chic shopping and even a charming Little Italy. If this is outside your budget, check out Brewer’s Hill or Canton, although these have less apartment complexes than rooms available in houses. Patterson Park is ideal for dog-owners and runners; 1BRs near the park start at $800/month, 2BRs go from $1250/month.
