Maryland Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 24 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,459/mo
Average Home Value
$370,017
Average Owner Cost
$1,660/mo
County cost atlas
Maryland housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
24
Avg rent
$1,459/mo
Owner cost
$1,660/mo
Avg score
14.2
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in Maryland: An Overview
The unweighted mean of county median rents in Maryland is $1,459 per month, which is 3% above the national ACS median of $1,413. This gives every county equal weight and is not an official statewide median.
Within Maryland, housing costs vary significantly by county. Howard County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $2,099 per month and a median home value of $597,900. Garrett County has the lowest reported median rent at $765 per month and a median home value of $235,300.
The unweighted mean of county median home values in Maryland is $370,017, 11% higher than the national ACS median of $332,700. The unweighted mean of county median household incomes is $96,648; neither figure is a household-weighted statewide estimate.
Before comparing places in Maryland, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Maryland
How median rents are spread across 24 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All Maryland Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | Over $1,500$2,099/mo | $597,900 | $2,505/mo | 1.1 | 29.0% |
| Anne Arundel County | Over $1,500$2,071/mo | $467,900 | $2,094/mo | 1.9 | 28.9% |
| Montgomery County | Over $1,500$2,068/mo | $640,300 | $2,362/mo | 1.4 | 30.8% |
| Charles County | Over $1,500$1,920/mo | $428,500 | $2,250/mo | 1.9 | 29.0% |
| Prince George's County | Over $1,500$1,799/mo | $426,000 | $2,173/mo | 2.6 | 31.6% |
| Frederick County | Over $1,500$1,774/mo | $464,600 | $2,082/mo | 3.0 | 29.4% |
| Calvert County | Over $1,500$1,759/mo | $460,200 | $2,095/mo | 3.0 | 28.6% |
| St. Mary's County | Over $1,500$1,747/mo | $407,600 | $1,884/mo | 4.0 | 27.9% |
| Baltimore County | Over $1,500$1,627/mo | $349,300 | $1,618/mo | 6.6 | 32.2% |
| Queen Anne's County | Over $1,500$1,619/mo | $462,700 | $1,990/mo | 4.6 | 32.6% |
| Harford County | Over $1,500$1,586/mo | $386,400 | $1,698/mo | 6.4 | 29.6% |
| Carroll County | $1,000–$1,500$1,427/mo | $434,000 | $1,961/mo | 6.4 | 29.6% |
| Cecil County | $1,000–$1,500$1,377/mo | $343,400 | $1,612/mo | 9.3 | 29.8% |
| Baltimore city | $1,000–$1,500$1,331/mo | $229,600 | $1,453/mo | 11.8 | 32.0% |
| Wicomico County | $1,000–$1,500$1,327/mo | $254,700 | $1,287/mo | 14.6 | 30.0% |
| Talbot County | $1,000–$1,500$1,256/mo | $409,700 | $1,583/mo | 11.7 | 30.9% |
| Kent County | $1,000–$1,500$1,209/mo | $330,900 | $1,361/mo | 15.3 | 33.5% |
| Worcester County | $1,000–$1,500$1,159/mo | $374,700 | $1,393/mo | 16.2 | 32.7% |
| Washington County | $1,000–$1,500$1,147/mo | $296,100 | $1,270/mo | 18.6 | 28.8% |
| Caroline County | $1,000–$1,500$1,105/mo | $290,100 | $1,367/mo | 18.3 | 31.6% |
| Dorchester County | $1,000–$1,500$1,032/mo | $262,400 | $1,146/mo | 25.8 | 34.6% |
| Somerset County | $1,000–$1,500$1,013/mo | $173,200 | $955/mo | 34.3 | 28.9% |
| Allegany County | Under $1,000$805/mo | $154,900 | $822/mo | 60.2 | 27.2% |
| Garrett County | Under $1,000$765/mo | $235,300 | $884/mo | 61.0 | 24.6% |
Compare Maryland to Other States
See how Maryland counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Maryland Housing Costs
Which Maryland county has the lowest median rent?
Which Maryland county has the highest median rent?
How does Maryland's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the unweighted county-mean home value in Maryland?
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Maryland, Maryland? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.