Cost of living in Maryland
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in Maryland are 5.0% above the national average, the 8th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Housing is the main reason prices in Maryland differ from the national level: housing costs (rents) are 21.1% above the US average, while goods are 2.5% above average and other services 1.6% above average.
- Within Maryland, metro price levels run from 94.2 in Hagerstown, MD to 108.9 in Washington, DC (US = 100).
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $61,111 in 2017 dollars, 16th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Maryland has held its position since 2019, but over the longer run it has grown less expensive relative to the US: the index was 108.8 in 2008 and 105.0 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In Maryland, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 21.1% above
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| All items | 105.0 |
| Goods | 102.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 121.1 |
| Utilities | 110.9 |
| Other services | 101.6 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.31 a gallon in the Central Atlantic region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.03 more than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for Maryland, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in Maryland
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 6 metro areas BEA measures in Maryland are Hagerstown, MD (94.2), Salisbury, MD (95.6) and Lexington Park, MD (100.8); the most expensive is Washington, DC (108.9). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Hagerstown, MD is the cheapest metro area in Maryland (94.2); Washington, DC the most expensive (108.9)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 94.2 |
| Salisbury, MD | 95.6 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 100.8 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102.6 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 |
| Washington, DC | 108.9 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 94.2 | 75.7 | 96.4 | 95.7 | 99.5 | $1,614 |
| Salisbury, MD | 95.6 | 87.2 | 96.6 | 102.8 | 99.0 | $1,947 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 100.8 | 103.8 | 99.7 | 106.4 | 100.3 | $2,029 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102.6 | 113.1 | 96.8 | 114.4 | 103.1 | $1,903 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | 118.2 | 102.4 | 110.2 | 101.5 | $1,937 |
| Washington, DC | 108.9 | 151.1 | 104.8 | 106.7 | 102.3 | $2,407 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
Maryland has become less expensive relative to the US since 2008: 108.8 then, 105.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.8 |
| 2009 | 110.4 |
| 2010 | 108.4 |
| 2011 | 109.3 |
| 2012 | 107.4 |
| 2013 | 108.5 |
| 2014 | 107.9 |
| 2015 | 107.9 |
| 2016 | 107.2 |
| 2017 | 106.8 |
| 2018 | 106.3 |
| 2019 | 105.1 |
| 2020 | 106.4 |
| 2021 | 106.1 |
| 2022 | 104.9 |
| 2023 | 104.6 |
| 2024 | 105.0 |
Goods: 104.8 in 2008, 102.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.8 |
| 2009 | 107.8 |
| 2010 | 104.0 |
| 2011 | 104.8 |
| 2012 | 103.6 |
| 2013 | 104.6 |
| 2014 | 102.7 |
| 2015 | 102.0 |
| 2016 | 102.4 |
| 2017 | 101.9 |
| 2018 | 102.4 |
| 2019 | 101.2 |
| 2020 | 102.4 |
| 2021 | 103.5 |
| 2022 | 102.9 |
| 2023 | 103.2 |
| 2024 | 102.5 |
Housing (rents): 132.4 in 2008, 121.1 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 132.4 |
| 2009 | 134.6 |
| 2010 | 133.4 |
| 2011 | 135.5 |
| 2012 | 133.6 |
| 2013 | 137.4 |
| 2014 | 136.3 |
| 2015 | 131.5 |
| 2016 | 128.8 |
| 2017 | 127.7 |
| 2018 | 128.3 |
| 2019 | 128.3 |
| 2020 | 128.1 |
| 2021 | 124.2 |
| 2022 | 123.0 |
| 2023 | 119.9 |
| 2024 | 121.1 |
Utilities: 123.9 in 2008, 110.9 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 123.9 |
| 2009 | 128.5 |
| 2010 | 114.4 |
| 2011 | 108.4 |
| 2012 | 105.9 |
| 2013 | 107.9 |
| 2014 | 102.9 |
| 2015 | 107.2 |
| 2016 | 114.1 |
| 2017 | 108.7 |
| 2018 | 103.0 |
| 2019 | 104.0 |
| 2020 | 104.6 |
| 2021 | 105.1 |
| 2022 | 102.1 |
| 2023 | 108.7 |
| 2024 | 110.9 |
Other services: 104.0 in 2008, 101.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Maryland | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.0 |
| 2009 | 104.1 |
| 2010 | 103.9 |
| 2011 | 105.0 |
| 2012 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 103.0 |
| 2014 | 103.7 |
| 2015 | 105.1 |
| 2016 | 103.9 |
| 2017 | 103.8 |
| 2018 | 102.8 |
| 2019 | 101.1 |
| 2020 | 102.4 |
| 2021 | 102.4 |
| 2022 | 101.1 |
| 2023 | 100.8 |
| 2024 | 101.6 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in Maryland is $61,111, 16th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- Maryland
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| Maryland | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $50,570 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $49,411 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $50,629 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $51,117 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $51,751 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $49,964 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $50,722 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $52,499 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $53,830 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $54,690 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $55,341 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $56,850 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $58,410 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $59,999 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $58,193 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $59,922 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $61,111 | $59,195 |
Compare Maryland with other states
States with similar prices
- Oregon 103.4
- New Jersey 108.8
- Washington 107.0
- Florida 103.4
- Delaware 99.8
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.