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Map of Montgomery County, MD eviction risk by city, county average 6.9 out of 10
County brief·Updated July 25, 2026

Montgomery County, Maryland Eviction Risk: Elevated

56 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Germantown (7) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

In 2026
Risk score
6.2
ELEVATED

Ranked #4 of 24 MD counties

1.0M residents · 56 cities · 232 tracts

1976–2026 · pop-weighted from cities

Montgomery County eviction risk score history

Min2.3 Average3.7 Now6.2
10 5 1976 · score 2.4 1977 · score 2.4 1978 · score 2.3 1979 · score 2.4 1980 · score 2.4 1981 · score 2.5 1982 · score 2.6 1983 · score 2.5 1984 · score 2.3 1985 · score 2.3 1986 · score 2.3 1987 · score 2.3 1988 · score 2.3 1989 · score 2.3 1990 · score 2.4 1991 · score 2.5 1992 · score 2.9 1993 · score 3.0 1994 · score 2.9 1995 · score 3.0 1996 · score 3.1 1997 · score 3.1 1998 · score 3.1 1999 · score 3.1 2000 · score 3.1 2001 · score 3.2 2002 · score 3.2 2003 · score 3.3 2004 · score 3.2 2005 · score 3.3 2006 · score 3.3 2007 · score 3.3 2008 · score 3.9 2009 · score 4.2 2010 · score 4.3 2011 · score 4.3 2012 · score 4.3 2013 · score 4.4 2014 · score 4.4 2015 · score 4.4 2016 · score 4.6 2017 · score 4.7 2018 · score 4.7 2019 · score 4.8 2020 · score 6.9 2021 · score 7.1 2022 · score 6.6 2023 · score 6.3 2024 · score 6.4 2025 · score 6.3 2026 · score 6.2

Key metrics

Time machine

Scrub 50 years

2026
● LIVE · today ◀ REPLAY · historical

Montgomery County averages 6.9/10 across 56 cities spanning 5.8 to 8, with White Oak the highest-risk city at 6.5/10.

Ranks 6 of 24 Maryland counties by eviction risk.

How Montgomery County ranks in Maryland

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most
Eviction Risk Score
High
#4 of 24 MD counties 6.2 / 10
Eviction Risk Score, 87th percentileLowHigh
#4 of 24 counties in Maryland for landlord eviction risk.
Cost of living
High
#8 of 51 states (statewide) 105.0 index
Cost of living, 86th percentileLowHigh
Maryland ranks #8 of 51 states on overall cost of living (5.0% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Housing services cost
High
#10 of 51 states (statewide) 121.1 index
Housing services cost, 82nd percentileLowHigh
Maryland ranks #10 of 51 states on housing services (21.1% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Income spent on rent
Elevated
#9 of 24 MD counties 33.7% of income
Income spent on rent, 65th percentileLowHigh
#9 of 24 counties in Maryland on % of income spent on rent.

Landlord guides for Maryland

State-specific playbooks
Maryland Eviction Costs →
Filing fees, attorney fees, lost rent, sheriff lockout
Maryland Eviction Process →
Step-by-step timeline, notices, statute cites
Maryland Rent Control →
Statewide caps, local ordinances, just-cause
Maryland Tenant Screening →
Five-point protocol, legal rules, protected classes
Maryland Tenant Protections →
Just cause, retaliation, habitability, entry
Cities in Montgomery County
Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first
Map view
City↕Population↕Risk↕% income on rent↕Average rent↕Lean↕
001 Germantown Pop 90,719 · 30.1% income · $2,040 rent · Dem 90,719 6.2 30.1% $2,040 Dem
002 Silver Spring Pop 81,462 · 31.2% income · $1,913 rent · Dem 81,462 6.5 31.2% $1,913 Dem
003 Gaithersburg Pop 69,825 · 29.5% income · $2,058 rent · Dem 69,825 6.3 29.5% $2,058 Dem
004 Bethesda Pop 69,397 · 28.7% income · $2,469 rent · Dem 69,397 6.0 28.7% $2,469 Dem
005 Rockville Pop 67,671 · 30.9% income · $2,274 rent · Dem 67,671 6.4 30.9% $2,274 Dem
006 Aspen Hill Pop 53,279 · 33.7% income · $1,916 rent · Dem 53,279 6.4 33.7% $1,916 Dem
007 Wheaton Pop 52,926 · 29.1% income · $2,163 rent · Dem 52,926 6.2 29.1% $2,163 Dem
008 North Bethesda Pop 49,677 · 27.4% income · $2,191 rent · Dem 49,677 5.9 27.4% $2,191 Dem
009 Potomac Pop 45,902 · 27.3% income · $2,887 rent · Dem 45,902 6.0 27.3% $2,887 Dem
010 Olney Pop 35,797 · 29.0% income · $2,404 rent · Dem 35,797 6.0 29.0% $2,404 Dem
011 Montgomery Village Pop 34,110 · 39.4% income · $1,916 rent · Dem 34,110 6.1 39.4% $1,916 Dem
012 Clarksburg Pop 30,487 · 30.6% income · $2,495 rent · Dem 30,487 6.0 30.6% $2,495 Dem
013 Fairland Pop 26,231 · 33.3% income · $1,894 rent · Dem 26,231 6.3 33.3% $1,894 Dem
014 North Potomac Pop 23,922 · 31.4% income · $2,413 rent · Dem 23,922 6.3 31.4% $2,413 Dem
015 Redland Pop 18,665 · 31.8% income · $2,221 rent · Dem 18,665 6.0 31.8% $2,221 Dem
016 Damascus Pop 17,640 · 41.6% income · $1,792 rent · Dem 17,640 6.1 41.6% $1,792 Dem
017 Takoma Park Pop 17,632 · 32.6% income · $1,432 rent · Dem 17,632 7.0 32.6% $1,432 Dem
018 Calverton Pop 17,624 · 35.9% income · $2,164 rent · Dem 17,624 6.3 35.9% $2,164 Dem
019 White Oak Pop 17,329 · 35.0% income · $1,808 rent · Dem 17,329 6.5 35.0% $1,808 Dem
020 Glenmont Pop 17,208 · 34.1% income · $2,028 rent · Dem 17,208 6.4 34.1% $2,028 Dem
021 Cloverly Pop 16,646 · 36.7% income · $2,129 rent · Dem 16,646 6.4 36.7% $2,129 Dem
022 Colesville Pop 14,519 · 51.0% income · $1,893 rent · Dem 14,519 6.2 51.0% $1,893 Dem
023 Flower Hill Pop 13,794 · 30.9% income · $2,137 rent · Dem 13,794 6.3 30.9% $2,137 Dem
024 Kemp Mill Pop 13,042 · 28.5% income · $2,177 rent · Dem 13,042 6.3 28.5% $2,177 Dem
025 Travilah Pop 11,721 · 34.8% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 11,721 6.2 34.8% $3,501 Dem
026 Burtonsville Pop 10,203 · 27.4% income · $2,358 rent · Dem 10,203 6.1 27.4% $2,358 Dem
027 Chevy Chase Pop 9,445 · 36.4% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 9,445 6.1 36.4% $3,501 Dem
028 North Kensington Pop 8,954 · 32.7% income · $1,828 rent · Dem 8,954 6.1 32.7% $1,828 Dem
029 Leisure World Pop 8,882 · 47.7% income · $2,054 rent · Dem 8,882 6.6 47.7% $2,054 Dem
030 Four Corners Pop 8,150 · 27.2% income · $2,554 rent · Dem 8,150 6.0 27.2% $2,554 Dem
031 South Kensington Pop 8,148 · 47.1% income · $3,479 rent · Dem 8,148 6.0 47.1% $3,479 Dem
032 Darnestown Pop 7,051 · 14.5% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 7,051 5.8 14.5% $3,501 Dem
033 Forest Glen Pop 6,840 · 28.1% income · $1,582 rent · Dem 6,840 6.3 28.1% $1,582 Dem
034 Poolesville Pop 5,764 · 51.0% income · $1,831 rent · Dem 5,764 6.3 51.0% $1,831 Dem
035 Ashton-Sandy Spring Pop 5,630 · 23.1% income · $1,369 rent · Dem 5,630 5.7 23.1% $1,369 Dem
036 Layhill Pop 5,497 · 29.7% income · $2,189 rent · Dem 5,497 6.2 29.7% $2,189 Dem
037 Friendship Heights Village Pop 4,002 · 24.5% income · $2,289 rent · Dem 4,002 6.0 24.5% $2,289 Dem
038 Burnt Mills Pop 3,751 · 33.4% income · $2,315 rent · Dem 3,751 6.5 33.4% $2,315 Dem
039 Brookmont Pop 3,671 · 35.5% income · $2,878 rent · Dem 3,671 6.2 35.5% $2,878 Dem
040 Kensington Pop 2,369 · 31.4% income · $2,076 rent · Dem 2,369 6.3 31.4% $2,076 Dem
041 Cabin John Pop 2,179 · 22.5% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 2,179 5.7 22.5% $3,501 Dem
042 Derwood Pop 1,984 · 30.4% income · $1,676 rent · Dem 1,984 6.3 30.4% $1,676 Dem
043 Chevy Chase Village Pop 1,903 · 51.0% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 1,903 6.4 51.0% $3,501 Dem
044 Ten Mile Creek Pop 1,184 · 30.9% income · $2,259 rent · Dem 1,184 6.6 30.9% $2,259 Dem
045 Somerset Pop 1,088 · 28.2% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 1,088 5.8 28.2% $3,501 Dem
046 Chevy Chase View Pop 1,063 · 47.5% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 1,063 6.0 47.5% $3,501 Dem
047 Martin's Additions Pop 1,012 · 51.0% income · $2,303 rent · Dem 1,012 5.9 51.0% $2,303 Dem
048 Garrett Park Pop 932 · 22.5% income · $3,250 rent · Dem 932 5.8 22.5% $3,250 Dem
049 Chevy Chase Section Three Pop 887 · 14.4% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 887 5.7 14.4% $3,501 Dem
050 Chevy Chase Section Five Pop 803 · 44.2% income · $3,501 rent · Dem 803 5.8 44.2% $3,501 Dem
051 North Chevy Chase Pop 746 · 36.3% income · $3,472 rent · Dem 746 6.1 36.3% $3,472 Dem
052 Laytonsville Pop 677 · 51.0% income · $1,438 rent · Dem 677 6.2 51.0% $1,438 Dem
053 Washington Grove Pop 577 · 47.2% income · $2,405 rent · Dem 577 6.0 47.2% $2,405 Dem
054 Glen Echo Pop 276 · 30.9% income · $2,259 rent · Dem 276 5.8 30.9% $2,259 Dem
055 Barnesville Pop 208 · 31.7% income · $1,530 rent · Dem 208 5.9 31.7% $1,530 Dem
056 Brookeville Pop 161 · 30.9% income · $2,259 rent · Dem 161 5.7 30.9% $2,259 Dem

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Neighborhoods in Montgomery County

Top 30 neighborhoods by population. Click for a pop-weighted risk score and the constituent census tracts.

3.5 Charlene 5 tracts · pop 28,238 2 Hamlet North 4 tracts · pop 20,319 4.3 Quail Valley 4 tracts · pop 17,819 4.1 Metropolitan Grove 4 tracts · pop 17,069 3.3 Germantown Park 2 tracts · pop 14,592 4.1 Rosemont 3 tracts · pop 12,958 1.5 Hurley Ridge 2 tracts · pop 12,319 4.1 Harmony Hills 2 tracts · pop 11,932 2.3 Blackrock Hills 2 tracts · pop 11,653 3.6 North Germantown 2 tracts · pop 11,590 3.6 Watkins Mill 2 tracts · pop 11,332 3 Westmore 2 tracts · pop 11,109 3.2 Fairland Heights 2 tracts · pop 10,799 2.7 Layhill South 2 tracts · pop 10,690 3.3 Park Summit 2 tracts · pop 10,277 2.5 Sycamore Creek 2 tracts · pop 10,031 1.2 Fountain View 2 tracts · pop 9,898 3.8 Croydon Park 2 tracts · pop 9,595 2.6 Glenora Hills 2 tracts · pop 9,170 3.6 Rollins Park 2 tracts · pop 9,143 3.6 Manor Park 3 tracts · pop 8,975 3.5 Willson Hills 2 tracts · pop 8,822 4 Blair Circle 3 tracts · pop 8,777 4.8 Green Castle Lakes 2 tracts · pop 8,579 4.3 Queen Annes 2 tracts · pop 8,503 1.9 Northwood Park 2 tracts · pop 8,348 4.1 Glemont Forest 2 tracts · pop 7,974 1.4 Potomac Edge 2 tracts · pop 7,697 3.1 Rolling Acres 2 tracts · pop 7,667 4.5 Oakmont Manor 2 tracts · pop 7,627
Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Montgomery County scores 6.2/10 (Elevated) across its 56 tracked cities, placing it among the more challenging operating environments in Maryland for landlords and investors. With only 4 of the state's 24 counties scoring higher, this is firmly in the higher-risk third of the state, and the county's combination of just-cause eviction requirements, average rents of $2,206, and a rent burden averaging 31.7% of tenant income creates real exposure when a tenancy goes sideways.

What makes underwriting here particularly demanding is the intra-county spread: scores range from 5.7 to 7 depending on where exactly the property sits. A landlord with units in multiple Montgomery County communities can face meaningfully different risk profiles from one city to the next, even within a short drive.

The cities inside Montgomery County

Takoma Park tops the risk table at 7/10, the highest score in the county and one that reflects strong tenant-protection ordinances layered on top of state law. Gaithersburg (population 69,825) and North Bethesda (population 49,677) each score 5.9/10, joined at that level by Fairland, White Oak, Kensington, and Derwood. Bethesda (population 69,397) comes in at 6/10. The county's two largest cities by population, Germantown (90,719) and Silver Spring (81,462), both score 6.5/10, indicating that size alone does not moderate risk here.

The lowest scores in the county reach down to 6.3/10, which is meaningfully less hostile, though still well above a neutral midpoint. The practical takeaway is that risk here is hyper-local: city-level scores should drive any acquisition or leasing decision, and the grid of cities on this page is the right starting point for that comparison.

State-level laws that apply here

Maryland state law under Md. Real Prop. § 8 (Landlord and Tenant) governs every tenancy in the county. For nonpayment of rent, a landlord must serve a 10-day notice before filing; a material lease violation triggers a 30-day notice; and ending a month-to-month tenancy requires 60 days. Maryland state law also requires just cause to terminate a tenancy, an added constraint that limits a landlord's flexibility. The Maryland eviction process, once initiated, runs 30 to 45 days for an uncontested case, and 45 to 120 days if the tenant contests. Total out-of-pocket on a single eviction action includes a court filing fee of $50 to $60, a sheriff lockout fee of $40 to $150, and attorney fees that commonly run $500 to $3,000, depending on complexity. Understanding Maryland eviction costs in full before acquiring rental property here is essential to accurate cash-flow modeling. Source-of-income discrimination is protected under Maryland law, which further shapes tenant screening practices in this market.

Montgomery County's average poverty rate of 7.1% and renter share of 34% of households mean a substantial tenant population with limited financial cushion; the city-by-city grid above is the best tool for pinpointing which communities within the county carry the most concentrated risk.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated

Reviewed by the NextGen Properties Research Team. Statute current as of May 29, 2026. Risk scores are derived from ACS 2023 5-year data, county court timelines, and 2024 county presidential margins.

Historical eviction filings in Montgomery County

From 2000 to 2017, eviction filings in Montgomery County increased 32%. The peak was 50,374 filings in 2010.1

Annual filings 2000–2017 No filing data published after 2018
Annual eviction filings in Montgomery County 2000-2018 (Eviction Lab)2000: 36,874 filings2001: 34,870 filings2002: 38,001 filings2003: 39,104 filings2004: 41,145 filings2005: 43,771 filings2006: 44,531 filings2007: 48,054 filings2008: 47,449 filings2009: 48,189 filings2010: 50,374 filings2011: 48,906 filings2012: 47,722 filings2013: 47,490 filings2014: 44,568 filings2015: 45,500 filings2016: 45,933 filings2017: 48,826 filings

Data covers 2000–2018, the full span of the Princeton Eviction Lab's national county court-records dataset.

How Montgomery County compares

Within Maryland, Montgomery County ranks 6 of 24 counties by eviction risk, scoring 6.9/10. That places it above Howard County at 6.79/10, Anne Arundel County at 6.76/10, and Baltimore city at 6.5/10, but below the higher-risk Prince George's County at 7.4/10 and Baltimore County at 7.29/10.

For landlords weighing the region, Montgomery County sits mid-pack among its peers: tenant protections under Maryland eviction laws state law keep its score in the Elevated tier, while several neighboring counties carry heavier risk.

Peer counties in Maryland

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score
Peer county
Baltimore County eviction risk
6.2
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 762K
Peer county
Prince George's County eviction risk
6.4
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 907K
Peer county
Anne Arundel County eviction risk
6
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 545K
Peer county
Howard County eviction risk
6.1
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 286K

Where eviction risk concentrates in Montgomery County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Germantown eviction risk
Pop. 90.7K · avg rent $2,040
Risk percentile, 62nd percentile
6.2
Silver Spring eviction risk
Pop. 81.5K · avg rent $1,913
Risk percentile, 65th percentile
6.5
Gaithersburg eviction risk
Pop. 69.8K · avg rent $2,058
Risk percentile, 63rd percentile
6.3

Top neighborhoods by risk

Charlene
5 tracts · pop. 28.2K
Risk percentile, 35th percentile
3.5
Hamlet North
4 tracts · pop. 20.3K
Risk percentile, 20th percentile
2.0
Quail Valley
4 tracts · pop. 17.8K
Risk percentile, 43rd percentile
4.3
Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Montgomery County

Q1

How is the Montgomery County eviction risk score computed?

Each of the 56 cities in the county is independently scored on nine sub-factors. The county-wide 6.2/10 average reflects a population-weighted mean of those municipal scores.
Q2

Does Montgomery County have rent control?

Rent control is determined by state law and city ordinance. Maryland state framework applies. See the Maryland eviction laws rent-control guide for details.
Q3

What is the political climate in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County voted Democratic by 59.6 points in 2020.