Maryland Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 24 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,415/mo
Average Home Value
$350,738
Average Owner Cost
$1,635/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
$1,415/mo
Owner cost
$1,635/mo
Avg score
14.0
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 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 median rent in Maryland is $1,415 per month, which is 22% above the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within Maryland, housing costs vary significantly by county. Howard County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $2,038 per month and a median home value of $576,700. Garrett County has the lowest reported median rent at $710 per month and a median home value of $217,000.
The average home value across Maryland counties is $350,738, 24% higher than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $94,152, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
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 | Expensive$2,038/mo | $576,700 | $2,458/mo | 1.1 | 29.0% |
| Montgomery County | Expensive$2,030/mo | $615,200 | $2,329/mo | 1.3 | 30.0% |
| Anne Arundel County | Expensive$1,990/mo | $450,300 | $2,051/mo | 1.9 | 29.0% |
| Charles County | Expensive$1,897/mo | $402,300 | $2,170/mo | 1.8 | 28.0% |
| Prince George's County | Expensive$1,761/mo | $404,300 | $2,160/mo | 2.3 | 31.0% |
| Frederick County | Expensive$1,706/mo | $437,700 | $2,033/mo | 3.0 | 29.0% |
| Calvert County | Expensive$1,701/mo | $440,200 | $2,031/mo | 3.0 | 30.0% |
| St. Mary's County | Expensive$1,692/mo | $390,900 | $1,884/mo | 3.7 | 27.0% |
| Queen Anne's County | Expensive$1,611/mo | $441,800 | $1,961/mo | 3.9 | 31.0% |
| Baltimore County | Expensive$1,566/mo | $330,000 | $1,594/mo | 6.3 | 31.0% |
| Harford County | Expensive$1,557/mo | $367,300 | $1,680/mo | 5.6 | 29.0% |
| Carroll County | Moderate$1,370/mo | $406,400 | $1,920/mo | 6.3 | 29.0% |
| Cecil County | Moderate$1,367/mo | $311,800 | $1,596/mo | 8.4 | 30.0% |
| Baltimore city | Moderate$1,290/mo | $219,300 | $1,402/mo | 11.6 | 32.0% |
| Talbot County | Moderate$1,248/mo | $398,300 | $1,580/mo | 10.3 | 30.0% |
| Wicomico County | Moderate$1,238/mo | $238,900 | $1,245/mo | 15.1 | 30.0% |
| Worcester County | Moderate$1,180/mo | $348,100 | $1,378/mo | 14.1 | 31.0% |
| Kent County | Moderate$1,144/mo | $307,100 | $1,408/mo | 14.6 | 32.0% |
| Washington County | Moderate$1,100/mo | $275,900 | $1,268/mo | 17.9 | 29.0% |
| Caroline County | Moderate$1,070/mo | $272,400 | $1,314/mo | 18.2 | 32.0% |
| Dorchester County | Affordable$959/mo | $252,300 | $1,090/mo | 28.9 | 30.0% |
| Somerset County | Affordable$938/mo | $164,300 | $977/mo | 34.5 | 34.0% |
| Allegany County | Affordable$786/mo | $149,200 | $830/mo | 58.8 | 29.0% |
| Garrett County | Affordable$710/mo | $217,000 | $874/mo | 64.3 | 23.0% |
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
What is the most affordable county in Maryland?
What is the most expensive county to live in Maryland?
How does Maryland's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Maryland?
Planning a Move?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.