With a median home sale price of $650,000, according to recent data, the areas in and around Washington D.C. have a reputation for high price tags—and Montgomery County in Maryland is no exception.

Montgomery County might be known for its affluence, but this community has many affordable options. Do you like city life? There are suburbs in the county that hug the border of the nation’s capital. Do you want to live around farms, parks, and lakes? You can do that too.

In an area that many media personalities and other luminaries call home, there’s still room for the average 9-to-5 worker looking to spend money wisely. 

Silver Spring

An apartment building near Downtown Silver Spring in Maryland
Downtown Silver Spring sits just north of the nation’s capital. (Photo by Farragutful / CC BY-SA 4.0)

This city is one of the only areas in the region with urbanity, suburban sprawl, and agrarian green all rolled into one community. As one of the region’s largest suburbs, Silver Spring is home to a massive, diverse public school network.

While the suburb does include some neighborhoods with spacious single-family homes priced in the high $900s, Silver Spring also has affordable options in the form of condos, townhomes, and fixer-uppers. Current listings range from below $100k for condos and attached homes to nearly $2 million for a picturesque estate.

Bridging the gap between urban and suburban life, Downtown Silver Spring sits just north of the nation’s capital and gives anyone who loves public transportation great bus and Metro train options into D.C. In the downtown area, the median sale price is in the low $400s, and the housing stock largely consists of affordable condos and some pricier single-family homes in the mix.

But there’s enough entertainment and shopping here to give homeowners the option of not leaving the suburb when looking for things to do. The AFI Theater screens art house films, film festival selections, and blockbusters alike. The Fillmore hosts touring bands, tribute acts, DJs, and other genres of live entertainment. And, in nearby Bethesda, Round House Theatre is the place to go for theater productions. 

Gaithersburg

Street view of Downtown Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg doesn’t lack entertainment options. (Photo by Mr.TinDC / CC BY-ND 2.0)

The homes in this beautiful, tree-lined suburb are close to high-paying biotech companies along the busy I-270 corridor, like AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, but the affordable options found in Gaithersburg won’t force you to stretch your paycheck.

This suburb has the full gamut of home prices. There may be stunning mansions going for as high as $1.6 million, but there are also plenty of options in the $100k to $200k range, mostly within Gaithersburg’s condo and townhome communities. 

The Kentlands, a mixed-use neighborhood that was much heralded when it opened in 1988, is one such community. Consisting of condos, townhomes, and single-family homes which can go up to the millions, The Kentlands also occasionally has options in the high $200s. Residents enjoy close proximity to Kentlands Market Square, which includes a Whole Foods, an OrangeTheory, and other big chain stores. 

Like in Silver Springs, Gaithersburg doesn’t lack entertainment options. Find a rural art scene at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, a venue with a 99-seat theater that hosts performing arts of all types. The suburb also has the Rio Lakefront, a central meeting place with activities like carousel and paddleboat rides, plus bars, restaurants, festivals, and other events. The mixed-use center is currently undergoing a renovation that will add more attractions. 

Rockville

Street view of Downtown Rockville in Marlyand
Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County. (Photo by Wikipedian1234 /  CC BY-SA 3.0)

As the county seat, Rockville is home to its government service offices and courthouse. Its four massive Metro stations accommodate all of its visitors, and its beautiful homes turn them into full-time residents.

In Twinbrook, you can find a charming single-family Cape Cod or colonial-style home with a lawn. And with a median home price in the high $400s, it’s attainable for many people to do so. The Twinbrook Metro station sits close by, servicing riders along the system’s busy Red line that shuttles government workers into D.C.

After work, many people flock to Rockville Town Square to enjoy Asian, Spanish, Lebanese, and American cuisine. People living at Fitz at Rockville Town only have to step outside of their condos or townhouses to enjoy the fun. The convenience doesn’t cost much: Current listings range from the low to mid $300s.

Germantown

Little Lake Seneca near Germantown, Maryland
In Germantown, there are options for a variety of homebuyers. (Photo by Virginia Hill / CC BY-ND 2.0)

This town hovers in the northern tier of Montgomery County, nurturing many of its great natural resources. But with home prices ranging anywhere from the low $200s to over $1 million, there are options for a variety of homebuyers. 

The homes in Fountain Hills offer an urban feel with recently built condos and townhomes surrounded by the suburb’s natural beauty. Homes in this community, which also include some detached homes that are still subject to HOA fees, are reasonably priced with current prices ranging from the high $200s to the mid $400s.

To take more advantage of Fountain Hill’s natural setting, go to nearby Great Seneca Stream Valley Park. The space has great jogging options, scenic bird views, and a rippling stream. Locals flock to attractions like Butler’s Orchard for its pick-and-own produce offerings, hayrides, pumpkin harvest, and bonfire tours. Or they head on over to the Lancaster County Dutch Market for pastries and other tasty treats.

The suburb is in a high-quality school district that includes the magnet school Poolesville High School and Diamond Elementary School.