Real Estate Investing in Leonardtown, Maryland (20650)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Saint Marys County • Population: 15,979 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20650 (Leonardtown, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Leonardtown, MD (20650)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $536,660
Avg Monthly Rent $2,213
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $137,854
% Renters 24.4%

Market Analysis: 20650 Leonardtown

This part of Saint Marys County is not an easy win. The 20650 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 20650 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 20650's metrics run below Saint Marys County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 20650 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The right play in 20650 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Leonardtown:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,213/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
California-Lexington Park, MD Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from California-Lexington Park, MD metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 20650

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$130,280/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $321,911 $1,950 4.4% +5.3% $160,955
3BR $438,019 $2,410 4.0% +6.1% $146,006
4BR $578,951 $3,070 3.8% +6.1% $144,738
5BR $651,398 +5.5% $130,280

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$554K$505K$457K$408K$359K$310KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,312$2,278$2,244$2,210$2,176$2,141Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20650 Compare?

Metric 20650 Leonardtown California-Lexington Park, MD Maryland
Home Value $536,660 $536,660 N/A $424,997
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,213 $2,213 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 20650? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20650 (Leonardtown, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $536,660
Monthly Rent $2,213
Price-to-Rent 20.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
8.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 20650

Population: 15,979

💰 Median Household Income
$137,854
This area
$137,854
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.4%
This area
44.4%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.6 years
This area
37.6 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.9%
This area
8.9%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.0%
Other/Mixed 12.0%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Black/African American 6.8%
Asian 3.1%
👶 Under 18
27.8%
This area
27.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 20650

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
17.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,616 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
537 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,616 Per Student
A Very Good

Leonardtown Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
492 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,616 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Leonardtown Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
954 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,616 Per Student
B Good

Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$17,616 Per Student
C+ Average

Leonardtown High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,072 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,616 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 19 Off-Campus Students
B
St. Mary's College of Maryland
1,587 students · 12.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Leonardtown, MD?

Expect median prices around $537K in Leonardtown, MD. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

What is the renter demographic in Leonardtown, MD?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Leonardtown, MD. The rental market absorbs $2,213/mo rents without meaningful friction.

How high is vacancy risk in Leonardtown, MD?

Occupancy in Leonardtown, MD runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,213/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Are landlord laws favorable in Leonardtown, MD?

MD ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Leonardtown generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is Leonardtown in MD worth investing in?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Leonardtown, MD ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $537K and rents of $2,213/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 20650 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 20650 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 20650 ranks in California-Lexington Park, MD

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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