Rental Investing in Baltimore, MD

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

6.9%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

$225,000

As of 2026-Q1

Median Monthly Rent

$1,300

Per month

Population

585,708

-0.7% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Baltimore

Pre-filled with Baltimore's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.

Property Details

$

Total acquisition cost before taxes

$
$

HOA, insurance, property management

%

% of time the property is empty

%

% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

6.93%

Net Rental Yield

4.52%

Cap Rate

4.52%

Monthly Cash Flow

$847.50

Annual Cash Flow

$10,170.00

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
$197,000
2022
$250,000
2023
$234,000
2024
$229,000
2025
$225,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
$1,110
2022
$1,275
2023
$1,305
2024
$1,303
2025
$1,300

Baltimore provides solid rental yields of 6.9%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.

Declining population of 0.7% per year may pose risks to long-term rental demand. Investors should focus on established neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.

The vacancy rate of 8.1% is above average, which could impact cash flow consistency. Thorough tenant screening and competitive pricing are important in this market.

Investment Profile

Cash Flow Market

Baltimore is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.

Strengths

  • High gross yield of 6.9% supports strong monthly cash flow
  • Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
  • Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing

! Risks

  • Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
  • Declining population may increase vacancy risk over time

Key Metrics

Gross Yield6.9%
Median Home Price$225,000
Median Monthly Rent$1,300
Population Growth-0.7% / yr
Vacancy Rate8.1%

How Baltimore Compares

Baltimore vs Philadelphia: 0.5 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
Philadelphia, PA$220,000$1,3507.4%-0.3%
New York, NY$700,000$2,8004.8%-0.6%
Richmond, VA$310,000$1,5506%+0.7%
Pittsburgh, PA$180,000$1,2008%-0.3%
Hartford, CT$250,000$1,3506.5%-0.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Baltimore?
Yes, Baltimore offers a gross rental yield of 6.9%, which is above the national average of around 5–6%. With a median home price of $225,000 and median monthly rent of $1,300, the numbers support profitable rental investing — though your specific results depend on financing terms, expenses, and property management.
What is the average rental yield in Baltimore?
The average gross rental yield in Baltimore is approximately 6.9%, based on a median home price of $225,000 and median monthly rent of $1,300 (as of 2026-Q1). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Baltimore compare to Philadelphia for investors?
Baltimore has a gross yield of 6.9% compared to 7.4% in Philadelphia, a difference of 0.5 percentage points. Philadelphia offers higher current yield. Baltimore may compensate through other market characteristics.

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Baltimore?

Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.

Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.