Cost of Living in Maryland
Based on 3 cities we track in Maryland.
Cost of living in Maryland is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,418 a month — 35% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $95,150, 42% higher than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,418
Median Home Value
$365,200
Median Income
$95,150
Avg Temperature
57.1°F
Medians across the Maryland cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 6.50%
Cities in Maryland
Compare Maryland with
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Maryland cost of living — FAQ
- Is Maryland expensive to live in?
- Maryland is among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,418 ranks #5 of 51 and is 35% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Maryland?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Maryland, average rent runs a studio around $1,239, a one-bedroom around $1,418, a two-bedroom around $1,661, a three-bedroom around $1,863 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Maryland?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Maryland is $365,200 — 27% higher than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Maryland have a state income tax?
- Yes — Maryland's top state income tax rate is 6.50% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Maryland?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,418 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Maryland is $95,150.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).