Median rent is 17% lower in Salisbury ($1,030/mo vs $1,247/mo). Buying is cheaper in Salisbury, where the median home runs $215,200 versus $217,500. Households earn more in Salisbury ($56,402 vs $51,058 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (87.1).
City A
Salisbury, MD
City B
Salisbury, NC
How much would you need to earn in Salisbury, NC to maintain your standard of living from Salisbury, MD?
Equivalent salary in Salisbury, NC
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Salisbury
Maryland
Salisbury
North Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Salisbury at $1,030/mo compared to $1,247/mo in Salisbury (17% gap). Median home values are within 1% of each other: $217,500 in Salisbury and $215,200 in Salisbury.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% versus 4.50% in North Carolina, so Salisbury is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Maryland and 4.75% in North Carolina; Salisbury has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Salisbury
Income tax: 5.75%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Salisbury
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Salisbury if you prioritize higher median household income ($56,402/yr).
Pick Salisbury if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,030/mo median).
Pick Salisbury if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.50%).
Is Salisbury cheaper than Salisbury?
Salisbury is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 87.1 versus 87.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Salisbury.
How much is rent in Salisbury vs Salisbury?
Median rent is $1,247/mo in Salisbury, MD and $1,030/mo in Salisbury, NC. Salisbury, NC has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Salisbury or Salisbury?
Median household income is $56,402 in Salisbury, MD and $51,058 in Salisbury, NC. Salisbury, MD has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Salisbury or Salisbury?
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% and North Carolina's is 4.50%. Salisbury, NC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Salisbury to match my Salisbury income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Salisbury, MD is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Salisbury, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology