True Cost of Renting in Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring sits at the DC border in Montgomery County, connected to downtown DC by the WMATA Red Line in 15–20 minutes. It's the most transit-accessible Montgomery County community at rents 25–30% below comparable DC neighborhoods. The downtown has a walkable entertainment district. Pepco/BGE serve the area.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Downtown Silver Spring
- Studio:
- $1,700/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $2,100/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $3,000/mo
Walkable downtown with WMATA Red Line Silver Spring station; restaurants on Ellsworth Drive, Regal Cinema, and Fillmore Silver Spring music venue. Amenity packages in new towers. Pepco electric (same as DC). Monthly SmarTrip unlimited pass $100.
Fenton Village / Seven Oaks
- Studio:
- $1,500/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,900/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,700/mo
Quieter residential areas south and east of Downtown; apartment buildings within walking distance of Metro. Lower rents than Downtown proper with same Metro access. Diverse community with international restaurants.
White Oak / Colesville
- Studio:
- $1,300/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,700/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,400/mo
Eastern Silver Spring / White Oak area; more suburban apartment complexes along US-29. FDA main campus is in White Oak. Car helpful but Ride On bus connects to Metro. Lower rents with Montgomery County public schools.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- Pepco (Potomac Electric Power / Exelon)
- Water
- Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
- Internet
- Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, RCN
Commute & Transportation
WMATA Red Line Silver Spring and Forest Glen stations connect to Metro Center and downtown DC in 20–25 minutes. MARC Brunswick Line also stops at Silver Spring for commuter rail access. Ride On Montgomery County Bus provides local connections. Major employers: FDA headquarters (White Oak), Discovery Communications, and the broader DC federal government employment accessible by Metro. I-495 (Capital Beltway) and US-29 are the highway connectors.
Rental Market Overview
Silver Spring offers DC-quality transit access at Montgomery County prices — meaningfully lower than DC's Columbia Heights or U Street comparable neighborhoods. Pepco electric rates are moderate for the DC region. Montgomery County has excellent public schools and a relatively high income base. Monthly WMATA Unlimited Pass: $100. No DC income tax for Maryland residents, though Maryland state income tax applies. Renters insurance averages $16–22/month.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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