Cost of Living in Charles County, Maryland
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Charles County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Charles County ranks #3,090 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 2%)
Sourced county brief
Median Gross Rent in Charles County Reaches $1,920 Monthly
The median gross rent in Charles County is $1,920 per month, which is $461 higher than the Maryland unweighted county mean of $1,459. For owner-occupied housing units, the median monthly owner cost was estimated at $2,250, compared to the state unweighted mean of $1,660. The median home value in the county was recorded at $428,500. Regarding renter affordability, the official B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 29.0%. This figure is 1.2 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 30.2%. Renter households in the county have a median income of $72,445. These statistics are snapshot estimates from the American Community Survey 5-year period and are not intended as market forecasts or relocation advice. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Charles County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.0% of renter household income in Charles County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,920 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,250. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $76,800 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Maryland unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,459 per month. Charles County's $1,920 median is 31.6% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Charles County
Rent Burden
18.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,866
per month
Owner Cost Burden
22.0%
of gross income
The median home in Charles County may be a stretch
Median home value is $428,500. Estimated monthly cost: $3,421 vs. your max of $2,866.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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