Cost of Living in Somerset County, Maryland

$938/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$164,300

Median Home Value

34% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$938/mo

34% below state average

Median Home Value

$164,300

42% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

34.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Somerset County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Somerset County$938/mo

Maryland Average$1,415/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$938/mo

Median Gross Rent

$164,300

Median Home Value

$977/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

34.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Somerset County, Maryland

Somerset struggles with income, not rent

Somerset County's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average of 20.0%, but the real challenge is the county's median household income of just $52,462—30% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This income gap creates affordability pressure despite relatively low absolute rents of $938 monthly.

Maryland's affordability challenge

Somerset's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in Maryland, surpassing the state average of 18.3% by a significant margin. The county faces a structural affordability crisis driven more by low wages than high rents.

Cheapest rents, tightest budgets

Somerset's median rent of $938 is the lowest among comparable counties—$323 less than Wicomico and $310 less than Washington County. However, with the lowest median income in the region at $52,462, residents spend a disproportionate share of earnings on housing.

The Somerset income crunch

Although Somerset renters pay just $938 monthly—the region's lowest—this consumes 21.5% of their $52,462 annual median income. Homeowners face a steeper challenge, with $977 monthly mortgage payments eating 22.3% of household income, leaving limited room for other essentials.

Relocate only if income follows

Somerset offers the region's lowest housing costs, but wages lag significantly behind state and national averages, making relocation viable only with remote work or employer transfers. If your job supports a competitive salary, Somerset provides genuine affordability; without it, the low cost of living won't offset income constraints.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Somerset County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

21.5%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,224

per month

Owner Cost Burden

22.3%

of gross income

The median home in Somerset County may be a stretch

Median home value is $164,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,312 vs. your max of $1,224.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio21.5%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Somerset County, Maryland?

Somerset County, Maryland has a median monthly rent of $938/mo and a median home value of $164,300. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 34.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Somerset County?

The median gross rent in Somerset County is $938/mo. This is 34% below state average for Maryland.

Is Somerset County affordable?

Somerset County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 34.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Somerset County's rent compare to the state average?

Somerset County's median rent of $938/mo is 34% below state average of $1,415/mo for Maryland.

What is the median home value in Somerset County?

The median home value in Somerset County, Maryland is $164,300. This is 42% below the national median home value of $281,900.