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.
Is Maryland Affordable?
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.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Maryland is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Baltimore has a cost index of 108.
Columbia has a cost index of 130.
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 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.
Cost by Category Across Maryland
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within Maryland
Explore Other States
Popular Maryland cost & affordability searches
Frequently Asked Questions: Maryland Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Maryland?
Maryland's average cost-of-living index is 119, which is 19% above the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 2 tracked cities, costs span from index 108 in Baltimore to 130 in Columbia.
What is the cheapest city to live in Maryland?
Baltimore is the most affordable tracked city in Maryland, with a cost index of 108 — roughly 8% above the national average.
What is the most expensive city in Maryland?
Columbia is the most expensive tracked city in Maryland, at a cost index of 130. The gap between Baltimore and Columbia is 22 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in Maryland?
The average median household income across 2 tracked Maryland cities is about $80,332 per year.
Does Maryland have a state income tax?
Yes. Maryland levies a progressive state income tax at 2-5.75%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in Maryland?
The combined sales tax in Maryland averages 6% — 6% at the state level plus 0% in average local tax.