Cost of Living in Maryland
Maryland has 57 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Salisbury (cost index 87.1) to Towson (102.4), with a statewide average around 98.6 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Hagerstown at $1,041/mo and highest in Fort Washington at $2,724/mo.
Maryland at a Glance
Cities Tracked
57
with census data
Avg Cost Index
98.6
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,840
per month
Avg Household Income
$110,971
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Maryland
State Income Tax
5.75%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
6.00%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Maryland
Maryland Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Baltimore | 577,193 | 102.4 | $1,290 | $219,300 | $59,623 |
| Columbia | 105,871 | 102.4 | $1,998 | $480,300 | $129,173 |
| Germantown | 90,521 | — | $1,978 | $401,400 | $112,149 |
| Waldorf | 82,541 | — | $1,949 | $383,100 | $115,453 |
| Silver Spring | 82,129 | — | $1,899 | $619,400 | $98,880 |
| Frederick | 80,617 | — | $1,688 | $365,200 | $95,150 |
| Ellicott City | 73,737 | — | $2,001 | $644,300 | $157,891 |
| Glen Burnie | 72,772 | — | $1,607 | $329,200 | $88,291 |
| Gaithersburg | 69,225 | — | $2,008 | $484,500 | $107,496 |
| Bethesda | 67,403 | — | $2,437 | $1,129,700 | $191,348 |
| Rockville | 67,218 | — | $2,244 | $658,300 | $122,384 |
| Dundalk | 65,441 | — | $1,412 | $199,600 | $62,349 |
| Severn | 58,041 | — | $2,082 | $465,600 | $130,627 |
| Bowie | 57,771 | — | $2,240 | $442,000 | $141,831 |
| Bel Air South | 57,702 | — | $1,666 | $384,000 | $120,721 |
| Towson | 57,683 | 102.4 | $1,784 | $445,100 | $100,481 |
| Aspen Hill | 53,752 | — | $1,925 | $538,000 | $109,026 |
| Wheaton | 52,172 | — | $2,151 | $483,100 | $107,349 |
| North Bethesda | 49,498 | — | $2,161 | $712,100 | $128,970 |
| Potomac | 46,230 | — | $2,616 | $1,105,900 | $239,205 |
| Odenton | 45,585 | — | $2,174 | $408,400 | $126,455 |
| Hagerstown | 43,490 | — | $1,041 | $207,700 | $49,957 |
| Catonsville | 42,717 | — | $1,697 | $405,800 | $110,051 |
| Annapolis | 40,744 | — | $1,855 | $510,200 | $104,257 |
| Essex | 40,670 | — | $1,307 | $253,500 | $67,082 |
| Woodlawn CDP (Baltimore County) | 40,476 | — | $1,440 | $269,800 | $78,591 |
| Severna Park | 39,499 | — | $1,617 | $633,600 | $168,091 |
| Clinton | 38,756 | — | $1,665 | $400,300 | $120,967 |
| Olney | 36,000 | — | $2,409 | $632,400 | $171,766 |
| Randallstown | 35,975 | — | $1,537 | $306,000 | $88,544 |
| Owings Mills | 35,626 | — | $1,815 | $335,000 | $94,046 |
| Chillum | 35,163 | — | $1,733 | $383,900 | $78,513 |
| College Park | 34,397 | — | $1,846 | $429,000 | $74,867 |
| Pikesville | 34,253 | — | $1,646 | $404,100 | $97,218 |
| Montgomery Village | 34,161 | — | $1,883 | $367,100 | $96,487 |
| Salisbury | 33,080 | 87.1 | $1,247 | $217,500 | $56,402 |
| Pasadena | 32,717 | — | $2,247 | $406,900 | $119,393 |
| Milford Mill | 31,939 | — | $1,576 | $269,900 | $76,676 |
| Middle River | 31,616 | — | $1,639 | $251,200 | $74,198 |
| Bel Air North | 31,599 | — | $1,651 | $422,700 | $137,995 |
| Eldersburg | 30,626 | — | $1,655 | $478,800 | $146,598 |
| Parkville | 30,423 | — | $1,471 | $251,100 | $78,405 |
| Crofton | 29,878 | — | $2,193 | $507,000 | $147,250 |
| Laurel | 29,594 | — | $1,878 | $367,300 | $94,063 |
| Clarksburg | 29,246 | — | $2,298 | $646,200 | $178,641 |
| Perry Hall | 28,908 | — | $1,604 | $332,000 | $104,709 |
| Carney | 28,624 | — | $1,786 | $299,200 | $84,619 |
| Reisterstown | 27,764 | — | $1,599 | $332,300 | $79,812 |
| South Laurel | 27,736 | — | $1,795 | $443,100 | $90,715 |
| Lochearn | 27,591 | — | $1,433 | $265,200 | $76,256 |
| Ilchester | 27,552 | — | $1,963 | $498,500 | $150,783 |
| Elkridge | 26,183 | — | $2,206 | $438,200 | $135,412 |
| Fairland | 26,183 | — | $1,851 | $440,800 | $87,924 |
| Ballenger Creek | 25,866 | — | $1,913 | $369,800 | $108,385 |
| Fort Washington | 25,843 | — | $2,724 | $464,300 | $145,942 |
| North Laurel | 25,201 | — | $1,913 | $442,800 | $119,533 |
| Edgewood | 25,170 | — | $1,435 | $234,700 | $86,355 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Maryland cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Maryland cities stack up across the US. For example, Baltimore vs Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Maryland
What is the cost of living in Maryland?
The average cost of living index across cities in Maryland is approximately 98.6 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,840/month and median household income averages around $110,971/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Maryland?
The most affordable cities in Maryland by cost of living index are: 1. Salisbury (index 87.1), 2. Baltimore (index 102.4), 3. Columbia (index 102.4).
What is the median rent in Maryland?
The average median gross rent across cities in Maryland is approximately $1,840/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Maryland?
Maryland's top marginal state income tax rate is 5.75%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Maryland?
Maryland's statewide sales tax rate is 6.00%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Maryland?
Maryland has a cost of living index of approximately 98.6 and average median rent around $1,840/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology