Cost of Living in Maryland

Communities throughout Maryland offer a broad range of amenities and lifestyles that are both attractive and affordable.

In Baltimore, living costs are somewhat above the national average, but less than those in urban areas in the northeast and west. Living costs on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland are generally near the national average, and also compare favorably with other smaller metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in the northeast and midwest United States.

Cost of Living Index
(Average for all urban areas = 100.0)

Baltimore, MD	118.0
Portland, OR	120.8
Ft. Lauderdale, FL	121.0
Seattle, WA	121.0
Philadelphia, PA	123.5
Middlesex-Monmouth, NJ	126.9
Boston, MA	134.7
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA	136.4
San Diego, CA	139.5
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA	144.6
Nassau County (Long Island), NY	153.1
San Jose, CA	154.2
San Francisco, CA	168.5
New York (Manhattan), NY	212.8

Note: Includes comparative data for approximately 300 urban areas.
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2007 annual average.

Cost of Living in Maryland, by County

Towson University's RESI Applied Economics Group has developed a Cost of Living Index for all counties in Maryland. With the U.S. average equal to 100.0, the indices for Maryland counties plus the City of Baltimore for the year 2005 are as follows:

Cost of Living Index for Maryland Counties - 2005
U.S. average = 100.0

County	Index
Allegany	81.0
Anne Arundel	120.0
Baltimore City	101.6
Baltimore	107.7
Calvert	116.9
Caroline	99.6
Carroll	112.0
Cecil	103.6

County	Index
Charles	114.8
Dorchester	95.8
Frederick	114.2
Garrett	100.5
Harford	107.3
Howard	125.9
Kent	101.2
Montgomery	133.8

County	Index
Prince George's	118.9
Queen Anne's	112.7
St. Mary's	107.7
Somerset	85.3
Talbot	112.9
Washington	100.7
Wicomico	96.3
Worcester	108.6

Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, December 2006.

Additional quality of life data for states, Maryland counties and major metro areas can be found in the Comparisons Tool .