Maryland
MDSouth · 6 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Maryland is more expensive than the national average. Across the 6 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 117 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $1,743 a month, 10% below the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$3.91
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$1,743
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
117
vs. 100 national avg
Maryland Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Maryland is electricity, at 16% above the national average. The biggest break is rent, at 10% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 3.1% over the past year across the 6 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Salisbury saw the biggest move (up 4.7%), while California was up just 1.1%.
City to city
Where you live inside Maryland matters. Typical rent runs from $994 in Cumberland to $2,029 in California, a gap of $1,035 a month or about $12,420 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 35% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 4th lowest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $100,090 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $3.91 a gallon, 2% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $193 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $2,480 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the South rose 1.7% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Maryland
Annapolis
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$1,937
Food ↑
+1.8%
Baltimore
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$1,937
Food ↑
+1.8%
Salisbury
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$1,947
Food ↑
+1.8%
Hagerstown
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$1,614
Food ↑
+1.8%
California
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$2,029
Food ↑
+1.8%
Cumberland
Maryland
Gas
$3.91
Rent
$994
Food ↑
+1.8%
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 24 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Howard County | $146,982 |
| 2Calvert County | $132,059 |
| 3Montgomery County | $128,733 |
| 4Charles County | $120,592 |
| 5Frederick County | $120,458 |
| 6Anne Arundel County | $120,324 |
| 7Carroll County | $115,876 |
| 8St. Mary's County | $114,580 |
| 9Queen Anne's County | $113,347 |
| 10Harford County | $111,317 |
| 11Prince George's County | $100,708 |
| 12Cecil County | $91,146 |
| 13Baltimore County | $90,904 |
| 14Talbot County | $84,378 |
| 15Worcester County | $81,455 |
| 16Kent County | $74,402 |
| 17Washington County | $74,157 |
| 18Wicomico County | $72,861 |
| 19Garrett County | $69,031 |
| 20Caroline County | $66,368 |
| 21Dorchester County | $60,495 |
| 22Baltimore city | $59,623 |
| 23Allegany County | $57,393 |
| 24Somerset County | $52,462 |
Maryland Cost of Living FAQ
Is Maryland expensive to live in?
Maryland is about 17% more expensive than the national average. Across the 6 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 117, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Maryland?
Typical rent in Maryland averages $1,743 a month across the 6 cities we track as of September 2026, 10% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 17th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Maryland?
Of the 6 cities we track in Maryland, Baltimore has the lowest cost of living index at 108. The lowest typical rent is in Cumberland, at $994 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Maryland?
Annapolis has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Maryland, at 120. The highest typical rent is in California, at $2,029 a month.
How much is gas in Maryland?
Regular unleaded averages $3.91 a gallon in Maryland as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 2% below the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Maryland?
Rent in Maryland rose an average of 3.1% over the past year across the 6 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Maryland?
Residential electricity in Maryland averages 21.4 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $193.
How much is car insurance in Maryland?
Full coverage car insurance in Maryland averages $2,480 a year, or about $207 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 12th highest of 51 states.