Cost of Living in Maryland (MD)
Compare costs across 2 Maryland cities. From home services to salaries, see how MD stacks up against the national average.
2
Cities
119
Avg Cost Index
$80K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Maryland's average cost index is 119, which is above the national baseline of 100. Baltimore is the most affordable tracked city in MD at index 108, while Columbia is the most expensive at index 130.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 22 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Maryland Highlights: Most affordable city: Baltimore (index 108). Most expensive: Columbia (index 130). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 22 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
119/100
Maryland is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Baltimore
Baltimore has a cost index of 108.
Most expensive
Columbia
Columbia has a cost index of 130.
Income average
$80K
Average median household income across 2 tracked MD cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Maryland
Maryland State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Maryland.
State Income Tax
2-5.75%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6%
6% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.05%
~$3,150/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Maryland uses a progressive income tax at 2-5.75%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Baltimore if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Maryland.
- Compare Columbia against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.