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Cost of living in Maryland

Everyday prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the US average, the 44th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Maryland cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Maryland next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
MarylandUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Maryland?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$116,300
Typical household incomeA year · 2nd highest of 51
19%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,834/mo) against median income ($116,300). 22nd lowest of 51.
3.7
Years of income to buy a home$425,000 median listing against $116,300 income. 8th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Maryland?

12,127 more people left Maryland for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Maryland

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Baltimore, MD4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,764
    Typical home
    $375,000
    Mortgage
    $2,061/mo

Maryland next to its neighbors

The states that border Maryland, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 9West Virginia11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $909
    Typical home
    $259,997
    Net moves
    +6,408
  2. 28Pennsylvania2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,353
    Typical home
    $309,000
    Net moves
    -2,936
  3. 32DelawareAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,632
    Typical home
    $484,998
    Net moves
    +6,855
  4. 36Virginia1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,673
    Typical home
    $455,953
    Net moves
    +6,268
Show 2 more
  1. 44MarylandThis state5% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,834
    Typical home
    $425,000
    Net moves
    -12,127
  2. 49District of Columbia10% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,541
    Typical home
    No data
    Net moves
    -4,128

Maryland by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Maryland next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Maryland105.0121.1$425,000$2,336$1,834
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Maryland cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Baltimore$375,000$2,061$1,764104.5

Metro areas in Maryland

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Baltimore, MD104.5$1,764$375,000

Maryland next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Maryland105.0$1,834$425,000-12,127
District of Columbia109.9$2,541No data-4,128
Delaware99.8$1,632$484,998+6,855
Pennsylvania97.6$1,353$309,000-2,936
Virginia101.1$1,673$455,953+6,268
West Virginia89.5$909$259,997+6,408

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-26,379
2020-21-21,803
2021-22-45,953
2022-23-31,484
2023-24-18,367
2024-25-12,127

States with a similar cost of living to Maryland

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Maryland cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Maryland?

Everyday prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the US average, the 44th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 121.1 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $425,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,336 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,834 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $139,867 in Maryland.

Is Maryland cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. Maryland's regional price parity is 105.0, 5.0% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Maryland?

The median listed home in Maryland is $425,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 27th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,336 a month.

How much is rent in Maryland?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Maryland is $1,834 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Maryland equals $150,000 in New York?

About $139,867, using BEA regional price parities for Maryland (105.0) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Maryland?

12,127 more people left Maryland for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Maryland cities do you cover?

Baltimore ($375,000). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page