Cost of Living in Maryland
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 525 cities in MD. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Maryland is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Maryland, with comparisons to national averages.
Maryland's average home value of $358,753 is 46% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $94,796, and average monthly rent is $1,150.
Most Affordable Cities in Maryland
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Meade | $0 | $2,380/mo | $102,886 | 10,477 |
| 2 | Cumberland | $120,800 | $728/mo | $47,819 | 18,938 |
| 3 | Cresaptown | $148,400 | $838/mo | $53,804 | 5,238 |
| 4 | Frostburg | $172,600 | $865/mo | $51,052 | 7,025 |
| 5 | Dundalk | $199,600 | $1,412/mo | $62,349 | 65,441 |
| 6 | Lansdowne | $201,500 | $1,298/mo | $72,845 | 8,879 |
| 7 | Hagerstown | $207,700 | $1,041/mo | $49,957 | 43,490 |
| 8 | Fruitland | $211,200 | $1,354/mo | $64,352 | 5,698 |
| 9 | Salisbury | $217,500 | $1,247/mo | $56,402 | 33,080 |
| 10 | Baltimore | $219,300 | $1,290/mo | $59,623 | 577,193 |
| 11 | Edgewood | $234,700 | $1,435/mo | $86,355 | 25,170 |
| 12 | Riverside | $237,300 | $1,805/mo | $102,262 | 6,149 |
| 13 | Aberdeen | $239,000 | $1,339/mo | $76,019 | 16,831 |
| 14 | Halfway | $247,100 | $1,183/mo | $69,600 | 10,974 |
| 15 | Overlea | $249,500 | $1,315/mo | $86,296 | 12,430 |
Most Expensive Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travilah | $1,225,300 | $3,385/mo | $250,001 | 11,128 |
| 2 | Chevy Chase | $1,193,000 | $3,264/mo | $213,764 | 9,484 |
| 3 | Bethesda | $1,129,700 | $2,437/mo | $191,348 | 67,403 |
| 4 | Potomac | $1,105,900 | $2,616/mo | $239,205 | 46,230 |
| 5 | Darnestown | $908,400 | $3,501/mo | $217,679 | 6,835 |
| 6 | South Kensington | $905,000 | $3,141/mo | $193,793 | 8,057 |
| 7 | Fulton | $847,700 | $3,052/mo | $240,219 | 5,946 |
| 8 | Ashton-Sandy Spring | $812,000 | $1,415/mo | $178,214 | 5,418 |
| 9 | North Potomac | $793,200 | $2,433/mo | $186,438 | 23,994 |
| 10 | Annapolis Neck | $723,100 | $2,805/mo | $171,833 | 12,484 |
Highest Income Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travilah | $250,001 | $1,225,300 | 11,128 |
| 2 | Fulton | $240,219 | $847,700 | 5,946 |
| 3 | Potomac | $239,205 | $1,105,900 | 46,230 |
| 4 | Darnestown | $217,679 | $908,400 | 6,835 |
| 5 | Poolesville | $216,653 | $672,300 | 5,704 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $213,764 | $1,193,000 | 9,484 |
| 7 | Four Corners | $200,110 | $606,100 | 7,785 |
| 8 | South Kensington | $193,793 | $905,000 | 8,057 |
| 9 | Bethesda | $191,348 | $1,129,700 | 67,403 |
| 10 | Fairwood | $191,319 | $695,300 | 8,108 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Maryland
What is the average cost of living in Maryland?
The average median home value across Maryland cities is $358,753, with average rent of $1,150/month. The average median household income is $94,796.
What are the cheapest cities in Maryland?
The most affordable cities in Maryland by home value include Fort Meade ($0), Cumberland ($120,800), Cresaptown ($148,400).
What is the most expensive city in Maryland?
The most expensive city in Maryland is Travilah with a median home value of $1,225,300.
How does Maryland compare to the national average?
Maryland's average home value of $358,753 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $1,150/month is below the US average of $1,163.