Real Estate Investing in Rockville, Maryland (20851)

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

Montgomery County • Population: 14,660 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20851 (Rockville, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Rockville, MD (20851)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $544,205
Avg Monthly Rent $2,897
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $107,578
% Renters 40.4%

Market Analysis: 20851 Rockville

ZIP 20851 inside Montgomery County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $544K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $544K asset, 20851 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 20851's metrics run below Montgomery County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A impressive renter share of 40% in 20851 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 20851 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Rockville:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,897/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 20851

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$118,003/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $539,383 $2,780 3.7% +4.7% $179,794
4BR $555,545 $3,260 4.2% +4.7% $138,886
5BR $590,015 +4.5% $118,003

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$574K$510K$447K$383K$320K$256KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,958$2,832$2,705$2,579$2,452$2,326May 2023Dec 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20851 Compare?

Metric 20851 Rockville Maryland
Home Value $544,205 $600,254 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 2.4% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,897 $2,719 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 20851? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 40% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20851 (Rockville, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Montgomery County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

American Community Management provides community association management and HOA services across Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Iko Community Management provides HOA and community association management services in Columbia, MD and Suburban Maryland. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Melan Property Management delivers proactive property management solutions for multifamily and commercial real estate across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Miami. summary from their website

Small multifamilyCommercial
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $544,205
Monthly Rent $2,897
Price-to-Rent 15.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +5.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
4.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 20851

Population: 14,660

💰 Median Household Income
$107,578
This area
$107,578
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
40.4%
This area
40.4%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.3%
This area
41.3%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.0 years
This area
36.0 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 38.1%
Hispanic/Latino 34.8%
White 34.2%
Asian 16.1%
Black/African American 11.6%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.2%
This area
12.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
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 20851

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$20,473 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Meadow Hall Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
377 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Twinbrook Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
461 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A Very Good

Rockville High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,538 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Brookhaven Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4610 Renn St, Rockville
👥
426 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rock Creek Valley Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 5121 Russett Rd, Rockville
👥
367 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Wheaton Woods Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4510 Faroe Pl, Rockville
👥
556 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bayard Rustin Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 332 W Edmonston Dr, Rockville
👥
787 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cashell Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 17101 Cashell Rd, Rockville
👥
342 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 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

8 Nearby 3,271 Off-Campus Students
C
Omega Studios' School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences
74 students · 1.0 mi
C
Hair Expressions Academy
79 students · 1.2 mi
C+
Montgomery College
17,780 students · 2.5 mi
C
SANS Technology Institute
1,771 students · 2.6 mi
C+
Yeshiva College of the Nations Capital
57 students · 5.4 mi
D
Montgomery Beauty School
68 students · 8.4 mi
C+
Washington Adventist University
695 students · 9.0 mi
C
Wesley Theological Seminary
450 students · 9.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,271 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Rockville, MD?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Rockville, MD ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $544K and rents of $2,897/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How strong are rents in Rockville, MD?

The typical rental in Rockville, MD commands about $2,897/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $544K purchase basis.

Where do home prices stand in Rockville, MD?

Rockville, MD home values average about $544K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,897/mo in monthly income.

What type of investing works in Rockville, MD?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Rockville, MD best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $544K price point.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Rockville, MD?

Rockville, MD vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 20851 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 20851 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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