City · 5,232 residents · Worcester County, Maryland
Berlin, Maryland
In Berlin, a typical home is worth $423,500 and typical rent is $1,091 a month. Compared with all of Worcester County, the typical home value is 13% higher, typical rent is 6% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 22 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $369,338 to $439,596.
Typical rent
$2,170a month
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Berlin is in Worcester County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Worcester County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
56% of households in Berlin own their home, against 78% in Worcester County.
2
Nearby, in Fruitland, the typical home value is $227,200: 46% less than in Berlin ($423,500).
3
Berlin has the 7th lowest typical rent of the 195 cities in Maryland with more than 5,000 people ($1,091).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Berlin
What homes there are in Berlin, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Kind of home: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Detached house
60%
43%
51%
61%
Attached house
10%
9%
21%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
4%
4%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
39%
23%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
5%
1%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Berlin: 60% of homes, more than in Worcester County (43%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Year built: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Before 1960
25%
9%
26%
26%
1960–1979
12%
28%
25%
24%
1980–1999
23%
42%
28%
25%
2000–2009
27%
16%
12%
14%
2010 or later
14%
5%
9%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K37%
$500K–$750K32%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Under $100K
Unreliable
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
37%
$500K–$750K
32%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99932%
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
32%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,984 a month
Worcester County: $1,948 a month
Without a mortgage
$960 a month
Worcester County: $691 a month
Owners with a mortgage
73%
Worcester County: 58%
Owning costs about the same in Berlin as in Worcester County: with a mortgage, $1,984 a month; without one, $960.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Berlin+68%
Worcester County+43%
Maryland+33%
United States+53%
Typical rent
BerlinNo clear change
Worcester County+12%
Maryland+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
BerlinNo clear change
Worcester County+29%
Maryland+22%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Typical home value
+68%
+43%
+33%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+12%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+29%
+22%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Berlin gained value faster than in Worcester County: 68% against 43%.
Rent in Berlin moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Berlin and its comparisons
Measure
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
10.9%
4.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.0%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.2%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.84
2.19
2.57
2.53
Drive alone
80%
76%
65%
69%
Carpool
6%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
12%
19%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More people live in each home here: 2.84 on average, against 2.19 in Worcester County.
To get to work, 80% of workers in Berlin drive alone; in Worcester County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Berlin?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Berlin, worth $423,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 52% of the typical household income in Berlin, which is $81,438 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $151,745 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Worcester County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Berlin. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $14,823 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$3,541
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$415,829
Total interest
$598,280
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $7,152 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,900 a month
Tight
$1,900 to $2,443 a month
Hard
more than $2,443 a month
Your payment · 52%
Compared with the typical household income in Berlin ($81,438 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,817
Property tax
$360
Home insurance
$177
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$187
You need at least $14,823 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $3,541; principal and interest $2,817.
The city and its county
Berlin and Worcester County
Berlin is in Worcester County, Maryland. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Berlin
Map of Worcester County, Maryland, with Berlin marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Berlin
Worcester County
Other cities with a page
Berlin's own numbers
Typical home value
$423,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,091
Typical yearly household income
$81,438
Households that own their home
56%
Effective property tax rate
1.02%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Worcester County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,184
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+62%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
13%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Worcester County.
A typical home in Berlin is worth $423,500: 13% above the county and about the same as Maryland. With the typical household income in Berlin ($81,438 a year), a typical home costs 5.2 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Berlin5.2 years
Worcester4.6 years
Maryland4.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Worcester County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Worcester County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Worcester County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Worcester County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.5% +2.5% 2016
2017: +3.8% +3.8% 2017
2018: +3.6% +3.6% 2018
2019: +6.0% +6.0% 2019
2020: +2.9% +2.9% 2020
2021: +13.9% +13.9% 2021
2022: +16.3% +16.3% 2022
2023: +15.2% +15.2% 2023
2024: +3.7% +3.7% 2024
2025: +2.6% +2.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Worcester County, Maryland and the United States
Period
County
Maryland
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.6%
+2.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+62%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+95%
+60%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Berlin next to Worcester County, Maryland and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Berlin$423,500
Worcester$374,700
Maryland$419,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Berlin$1,091
Worcester$1,159
Maryland$1,705
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Berlin$81,438
Worcester$81,745
Maryland$103,678
United States$80,734
See the full table
Berlin next to Worcester County and Maryland
Measure
Berlin
Worcester County
Maryland
U.S.
Typical home value
$423,500 ▲13% above the county
$374,700
$419,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,091 ▼6% below the county
$1,159
$1,705
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$81,438
$81,745
$103,678
$80,734
Households that own their home
56% ▼22 points below the county
78%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,331 ▲58% above the county
$2,738
$4,093
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.02% ▲0.29 points above the county
0.73%
0.97%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
56% ▲1 points above the county
55%
51%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Worcester County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Berlin
For a typical $423,500 home in Berlin, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Berlin's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,541a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$14,823
Cash to close
$27,528
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $187
Conventional, 5% down$3,463a month
Down payment
$21,175
Cash to close
$33,880
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $201
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,832a month
Down payment
$84,700
Cash to close
$97,405
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,223a month
Down payment
$63,525
Cash to close
$76,230
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Berlin
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,541
$14,823
$415,829
7.18%
FHA MIP · $187
$27,528
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,463
$21,175
$402,325
7.18%
PMI · $201
$33,880
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,832
$84,700
$338,800
7.18%
None
$97,405
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,223
$63,525
$359,975
8.18%
None
$76,230
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Berlin and for Worcester County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Berlin
1.02%of the home’s value each year
$4,331 a year for the typical owner in Berlin.
Berlin1.02%
Worcester0.73%
Maryland0.97%
What Maryland publishesHomestead tax credit (cap on yearly assessment increases) (Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax-Property Article))
Typical rent in Berlin is $1,091 a month: 6% below the county. In Berlin, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Worcester County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,184 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $22.77 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Worcester County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$990
$19.04
$39,600
1 bedroom
$995
$19.13
$39,800
2 bedrooms
$1,184
$22.77
$47,360
3 bedrooms
$1,639
$31.52
$65,560
4 bedrooms
$1,979
$38.06
$79,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Berlin
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Berlin is in ZIP code 21811.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,430: $246 more than the fair market rent for Worcester County ($1,184).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Berlin, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
21811
$1,200
$1,200
$1,430
$1,980
$2,390
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
21811 $1,430$1,980
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Berlin when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Berlin. These are the largest.
Cannery VillageCannery Way at Flower Street, Berlin 2181144 low-income homes · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 36 · In service since 2016 · For people with disabilities, families
Homes at Berlin30 Flower ST, Berlin 2181142 low-income homes · In service since 2003 · For people with disabilities, families
Homes at Berlin113 Flower St, Berlin 2181142 low-income homes · For families(410) 641-4120
Cottages at Berlin500 Farber Ln, Berlin 2181140 low-income homes · In service since 2012
Bay Terrace Apartment517 Bay St, Berlin 2181132 low-income homes · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2017 · For people with disabilities, families(410) 641-2272
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Worcester County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Berlin or Worcester County. The ones below are statewide in Maryland: they work in Berlin the same as in the rest of the state.
Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers, with a deferred 0% second mortgage for the down payment: $6,000, or 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before; Flex 6000 brings $6,000 and Flex 3% brings 3% of the loan for the down payment, as a deferred 0% second loan.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
Maryland Mortgage Program loan of up to 15% of the price (maximum $25,000) to pay off your student debt when you buy a home; no interest or monthly payments, and forgiven after five years if you stay in the home.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
No legal help resource on our list is for Berlin or Worcester County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Berlin and all of Worcester County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Berlin?
The typical home value in Berlin is $423,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Worcester County it is $374,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Berlin?
Typical rent in Berlin is $1,091 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Worcester County is $1,184.
What is the FHA loan limit in Berlin?
Berlin uses the FHA limit for all of Worcester County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Berlin?
The typical homeowner in Berlin pays $4,331 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.02% of the home’s value; in Worcester County, the rate is 0.73%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Berlin?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Worcester County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
