Real Estate Investing in Rockville, Maryland (20851)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 20851 (Rockville, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Rockville, MD (20851)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Rockville:
Property Strategy for 20851
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 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)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 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% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
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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📊 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 |
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.
Demographics in 20851
Population: 14,660
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
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Brookhaven Elementary
Rock Creek Valley Elementary
Wheaton Woods Elementary
Bayard Rustin Elementary
Cashell Elementary
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
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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