Cresaptown
unincorporated, Allegany County · 5,121 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #120 of 259 in MD
Maryland rankings · Cost of living
Most affordable towns in Maryland
Cresaptown ranks first on cost of living among Maryland’s 260 towns of 2,500+; 6 of the 260 grade A− or better on cost of living nationally.
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). How grades work
A
#2La Vale
unincorporated, Allegany County · 4,196 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #92 of 259 in MD
#3Lusby
unincorporated, Calvert County · 2,595 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 3.0 years of area income·Overall A+ · #13 of 259 in MD
All 260 towns
Cost of living grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
260 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeHome price · overall
1Cresaptownunincorporated, Allegany County · 5,121 peopleA2.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #120 of 259
2La Valeunincorporated, Allegany County · 4,196 peopleA−2.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #92 of 259
3Lusbyunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,595 peopleA−3.0 years of area income·Overall A+ · #13 of 259
6Capitol HeightsPrince George's County · 4,044 peopleA−2.5 years of area income·Overall C · #197 of 259
10Jeffersonunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,314 peopleB+4.4 years of area income·Overall A+ · #9 of 259
11Golden Beachunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 3,830 peopleB+3.0 years of area income·Overall A · #51 of 259
12Peppermill Villageunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,238 peopleB+2.7 years of area income·Overall B · #154 of 259
13Seat PleasantPrince George's County · 4,524 peopleB+2.5 years of area income·Overall D · #243 of 259
15Californiaunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 13,136 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall A · #39 of 259
16Riversideunincorporated, Harford County · 6,585 peopleB+2.5 years of area income·Overall A+ · #5 of 259
18Brooklyn Parkunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 16,067 peopleB3.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #94 of 259
19Lexington Parkunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 13,252 peopleB3.1 years of area income·Overall A− · #96 of 259
20Chesapeake Ranch Estatesunincorporated, Calvert County · 9,241 peopleB2.3 years of area income·Overall A · #30 of 259
22Forest HeightsPrince George's County · 2,618 peopleB2.7 years of area income·Overall C+ · #183 of 259
24Rosedaleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 20,002 peopleB3.1 years of area income·Overall B · #149 of 259
26Drum Pointunincorporated, Calvert County · 3,589 peopleB3.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #81 of 259
28Edgewoodunincorporated, Harford County · 24,922 peopleB2.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #119 of 259
29Silver Hillunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,193 peopleB2.6 years of area income·Overall C · #205 of 259
30Huntingtownunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,689 peopleB4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #32 of 259
32Edgemereunincorporated, Baltimore County · 9,061 peopleB3.7 years of area income·Overall B · #148 of 259
33Woodlawnunincorporated, Prince George's County · 7,750 peopleB−2.9 years of area income·Overall C+ · #175 of 259
34District HeightsPrince George's County · 5,938 peopleB−2.7 years of area income·Overall C− · #239 of 259
35Maugansvilleunincorporated, Washington County · 3,624 peopleB−3.7 years of area income·Overall A · #71 of 259
37Dundalkunincorporated, Baltimore County · 65,969 peopleB−2.2 years of area income·Overall C · #221 of 259
38Prince Frederickunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,955 peopleB−3.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #75 of 259
40Owingsunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,643 peopleB−4.8 years of area income·Overall A+ · #3 of 259
41Melwoodunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,401 peopleB−3.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #229 of 259
42Lansdowneunincorporated, Baltimore County · 7,876 peopleB−2.2 years of area income·Overall C · #206 of 259
43Arbutusunincorporated, Baltimore County · 22,507 peopleB−3.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #109 of 259
44Fountainhead-Orchard Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 6,567 peopleB−4.2 years of area income·Overall A · #55 of 259
45Leisure Worldunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,882 peopleB−2.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #95 of 259
46Hillcrest Heightsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 16,063 peopleB−2.9 years of area income·Overall C+ · #186 of 259
48Joppatowneunincorporated, Harford County · 14,237 peopleB−3.4 years of area income·Overall A · #59 of 259
50Essexunincorporated, Baltimore County · 40,580 peopleB−2.9 years of area income·Overall C · #196 of 259
51Landoverunincorporated, Prince George's County · 24,514 peopleB−2.5 years of area income·Overall C · #225 of 259
52Damascusunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,640 peopleB−4.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #1 of 259
55GreenbeltPrince George's County · 24,948 peopleB−2.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #235 of 259
57Spring Ridgeunincorporated, Frederick County · 5,922 peopleB−3.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #6 of 259
58Oxon Hillunincorporated, Prince George's County · 17,893 peopleB−2.8 years of area income·Overall B− · #168 of 259
59Parkvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 30,549 peopleB−2.8 years of area income·Overall B · #144 of 259
60Glassmanorunincorporated, Prince George's County · 16,981 peopleB−2.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #237 of 259
61Overleaunincorporated, Baltimore County · 13,035 peopleB−2.7 years of area income·Overall B · #140 of 259
63Brown Stationunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,451 peopleB−3.7 years of area income·Overall B · #132 of 259
64Coral Hillsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 9,756 peopleB−2.5 years of area income·Overall C− · #227 of 259
65Forestvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,495 peopleB−2.7 years of area income·Overall C · #198 of 259
67Suitlandunincorporated, Prince George's County · 23,793 peopleB−2.6 years of area income·Overall C · #219 of 259
68Walker Millunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,931 peopleB−2.8 years of area income·Overall C · #217 of 259
70Forest Glenunincorporated, Montgomery County · 6,840 peopleC+4.8 years of area income·Overall A+ · #7 of 259
71East Riverdaleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 18,336 peopleC+2.9 years of area income·Overall C− · #240 of 259
72Kingsvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 4,687 peopleC+5.4 years of area income·Overall B · #142 of 259
73Riviera Beachunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 12,192 peopleC+3.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #89 of 259
74Baltimore Highlandsunincorporated, Baltimore County · 8,206 peopleC+2.7 years of area income·Overall C− · #231 of 259
75Wildewoodunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 7,552 peopleC+3.0 years of area income·Overall A · #64 of 259
76Montgomery Villageunincorporated, Montgomery County · 34,110 peopleC+3.0 years of area income·Overall A · #53 of 259
77Braddock Heightsunincorporated, Frederick County · 2,892 peopleC+4.2 years of area income·Overall A · #57 of 259
78Halfwayunincorporated, Washington County · 10,849 peopleC+3.6 years of area income·Overall C+ · #178 of 259
79Lochearnunincorporated, Baltimore County · 27,074 peopleC+3.1 years of area income·Overall C+ · #190 of 259
80BladensburgPrince George's County · 9,671 peopleC+2.5 years of area income·Overall D · #252 of 259
81Ballenger Creekunincorporated, Frederick County · 26,390 peopleC+3.1 years of area income·Overall A · #31 of 259
82Bel Air Northunincorporated, Harford County · 31,302 peopleC+4.5 years of area income·Overall A · #62 of 259
83Langley Parkunincorporated, Prince George's County · 21,508 peopleC+2.9 years of area income·Overall D · #248 of 259
84Woodlawnunincorporated, Baltimore County · 40,379 peopleC+3.0 years of area income·Overall C+ · #181 of 259
85Marlow Heightsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,456 peopleC+3.1 years of area income·Overall D · #246 of 259
86Germantownunincorporated, Montgomery County · 90,719 peopleC+3.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #19 of 259
88Clintonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 38,376 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall C+ · #192 of 259
89Temple Hillsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 8,969 peopleC+2.5 years of area income·Overall C− · #238 of 259
90Jarrettsvilleunincorporated, Harford County · 2,560 peopleC+5.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #97 of 259
91Springdaleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,226 peopleC+3.7 years of area income·Overall B− · #164 of 259
92St. Jamesunincorporated, Washington County · 4,824 peopleC+5.7 years of area income·Overall A · #69 of 259
93Bartonsvilleunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,282 peopleC+4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #52 of 259
94Flower Hillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 13,794 peopleC+3.7 years of area income·Overall A · #58 of 259
95Bryans Roadunincorporated, Charles County · 9,371 peopleC+3.3 years of area income·Overall B · #146 of 259
96Chillumunincorporated, Prince George's County · 34,871 peopleC+3.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #230 of 259
97Linthicumunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 11,313 peopleC+4.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #77 of 259
100College Park College campusPrince George's County · 35,418 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall B−
102Waldorfunincorporated, Charles County · 82,943 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall B− · #162 of 259
103Ashton-Sandy Springunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,630 peopleC+6.4 years of area income·Overall A+ · #4 of 259
104Monroviaunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,568 peopleC+5.2 years of area income·Overall A · #63 of 259
105Abingdonunincorporated, Harford County · 5,019 peopleC+3.7 years of area income·Overall B+ · #106 of 259
109Paramount-Long Meadowunincorporated, Washington County · 2,569 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall B+ · #121 of 259
111Perry Hallunincorporated, Baltimore County · 29,105 peopleC4.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #122 of 259
112Seabrookunincorporated, Prince George's County · 18,317 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #207 of 259
113Bel Air Southunincorporated, Harford County · 58,137 peopleC4.1 years of area income·Overall A · #67 of 259
114Summerfieldunincorporated, Prince George's County · 15,065 peopleC2.7 years of area income·Overall C · #200 of 259
115Middle Riverunincorporated, Baltimore County · 31,712 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #216 of 259
116Milford Millunincorporated, Baltimore County · 30,829 peopleC2.8 years of area income·Overall C · #202 of 259
117Glen Burnieunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 72,590 peopleC3.9 years of area income·Overall B · #138 of 259
120Four Cornersunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,150 peopleC4.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #11 of 259
121Linganoreunincorporated, Frederick County · 14,444 peopleC4.2 years of area income·Overall A · #54 of 259
122Glenn Daleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,772 peopleC5.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #170 of 259
123Marlboro Villageunincorporated, Prince George's County · 9,382 peopleC3.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #161 of 259
124Adelphiunincorporated, Prince George's County · 17,395 peopleC3.5 years of area income·Overall C− · #234 of 259
126Luthervilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 6,574 peopleC4.5 years of area income·Overall B+ · #110 of 259
128North Kensingtonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,954 peopleC4.6 years of area income·Overall A+ · #10 of 259
129West Laurelunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,428 peopleC4.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #167 of 259
130Ferndaleunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 17,529 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall B · #128 of 259
132Randallstownunincorporated, Baltimore County · 35,957 peopleC3.7 years of area income·Overall C · #204 of 259
133Hillandaleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,060 peopleC4.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #118 of 259
135New CarrolltonPrince George's County · 13,644 peopleC3.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #236 of 259
136Robinwoodunincorporated, Washington County · 8,042 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall B · #147 of 259
137Kemp Millunincorporated, Montgomery County · 13,042 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A · #46 of 259
138Camp Springsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 22,544 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall C+ · #174 of 259
139Ketteringunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,014 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall C+ · #184 of 259
140Lake Shoreunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 18,249 peopleC4.8 years of area income·Overall B · #129 of 259
141Reisterstownunincorporated, Baltimore County · 25,582 peopleC4.1 years of area income·Overall C+ · #193 of 259
142Largounincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,229 peopleC3.1 years of area income·Overall C+ · #180 of 259
143Eldersburgunincorporated, Carroll County · 31,695 peopleC5.0 years of area income·Overall A · #33 of 259
144Green Valleyunincorporated, Frederick County · 13,602 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A · #60 of 259
145Pleasant Hillsunincorporated, Harford County · 3,836 peopleC5.4 years of area income·Overall A · #68 of 259
146Beltsvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 19,176 peopleC3.5 years of area income·Overall C · #203 of 259
147Mount RainierPrince George's County · 8,307 peopleC3.5 years of area income·Overall D · #247 of 259
148Fairlandunincorporated, Montgomery County · 26,231 peopleC3.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #72 of 259
150Marlboro Meadowsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,929 peopleC3.2 years of area income·Overall C · #224 of 259
152Rossvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 16,059 peopleC2.9 years of area income·Overall B · #152 of 259
154Marltonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,222 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall C · #222 of 259
155Burtonsvilleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 10,203 peopleC3.7 years of area income·Overall A · #38 of 259
156Hamptonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 5,372 peopleC6.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #117 of 259
157Shady Sideunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 4,727 peopleC4.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #157 of 259
158Westphaliaunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,228 peopleC4.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #177 of 259
160Layhillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,497 peopleC4.8 years of area income·Overall A · #41 of 259
161Wheatonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 52,926 peopleC4.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #87 of 259
162White Marshunincorporated, Baltimore County · 10,932 peopleC5.2 years of area income·Overall B− · #160 of 259
164Aspen Hillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 53,279 peopleC4.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #78 of 259
165Carneyunincorporated, Baltimore County · 28,343 peopleC3.4 years of area income·Overall C+ · #172 of 259
166Rosaryvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,883 peopleC3.8 years of area income·Overall C · #211 of 259
167Lanhamunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,433 peopleC3.4 years of area income·Overall C · #212 of 259
170Riverdale ParkPrince George's County · 7,343 peopleC−3.8 years of area income·Overall D · #250 of 259
171South Laurelunincorporated, Prince George's County · 29,272 peopleC−3.6 years of area income·Overall C · #208 of 259
172Friendlyunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,119 peopleC−3.5 years of area income·Overall C+ · #191 of 259
173West Ocean Cityunincorporated, Worcester County · 5,198 peopleC−5.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #101 of 259
174Mays Chapelunincorporated, Baltimore County · 16,066 peopleC−4.7 years of area income·Overall B · #136 of 259
175Gambrillsunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 2,830 peopleC−6.1 years of area income·Overall B · #133 of 259
176Olneyunincorporated, Montgomery County · 35,797 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall A+ · #18 of 259
177Severna Parkunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 40,228 peopleC−7.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #79 of 259
178Redlandunincorporated, Montgomery County · 18,665 peopleC−4.3 years of area income·Overall A · #26 of 259
179Pasadenaunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 34,309 peopleC−4.5 years of area income·Overall B+ · #123 of 259
180Glenmontunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,208 peopleC−4.5 years of area income·Overall A · #66 of 259
181Grasonvilleunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 3,564 peopleC−5.8 years of area income·Overall B+ · #124 of 259
182Dealeunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 5,333 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #127 of 259
184Cape St. Claireunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 9,236 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #113 of 259
186White Oakunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,329 peopleC−4.5 years of area income·Overall B+ · #125 of 259
187Catonsvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 43,368 peopleC−4.2 years of area income·Overall B · #131 of 259
188Fallstonunincorporated, Harford County · 10,013 peopleC−5.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #98 of 259
189Berwyn HeightsPrince George's County · 3,338 peopleC−3.5 years of area income·Overall C+ · #171 of 259
190Colesvilleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 14,519 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #29 of 259
191Ocean Pinesunincorporated, Worcester County · 12,351 peopleC−4.6 years of area income·Overall A · #65 of 259
192Bensvilleunincorporated, Charles County · 15,848 peopleC−4.1 years of area income·Overall C · #195 of 259
194Calvertonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,624 peopleC−3.8 years of area income·Overall B− · #159 of 259
195Garrisonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 9,469 peopleC−3.2 years of area income·Overall B · #145 of 259
197HyattsvillePrince George's County · 21,158 peopleC−3.1 years of area income·Overall C− · #242 of 259
198Arnoldunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 24,303 peopleC−6.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #100 of 259
199Urbanaunincorporated, Frederick County · 14,260 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall A · #42 of 259
200Owings Millsunincorporated, Baltimore County · 37,245 peopleC−4.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #163 of 259
201Accokeekunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,362 peopleC−4.3 years of area income·Overall C · #210 of 259
202Croftonunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 29,549 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #104 of 259
203Bowleys Quartersunincorporated, Baltimore County · 7,006 peopleC−4.0 years of area income·Overall C · #218 of 259
204Timoniumunincorporated, Baltimore County · 10,304 peopleC−4.8 years of area income·Overall B · #143 of 259
205Brookmontunincorporated, Montgomery County · 3,671 peopleC−10.7 years of area income·Overall A+ · #17 of 259
206Fort Washingtonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 25,134 peopleC−3.5 years of area income·Overall C+ · #185 of 259
208Konterraunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,641 peopleC−3.6 years of area income·Overall C · #213 of 259
209Rivaunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 4,976 peopleC−6.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #126 of 259
210Brandywineunincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,160 peopleC−4.0 years of area income·Overall C · #220 of 259
211Honeygounincorporated, Baltimore County · 12,250 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall B · #134 of 259
212Cloverlyunincorporated, Montgomery County · 16,646 peopleC−5.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #73 of 259
213Brock Hallunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,615 peopleC−5.0 years of area income·Overall C+ · #187 of 259
214Stevensvilleunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 8,802 peopleC−5.4 years of area income·Overall A− · #82 of 259
215Mayounincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 8,694 peopleC−6.1 years of area income·Overall B · #137 of 259
216Friendship Heights Villageunincorporated, Montgomery County · 4,002 peopleC−3.8 years of area income·Overall A · #35 of 259
217Clarksburgunincorporated, Montgomery County · 30,487 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #45 of 259
218Lake Arborunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,335 peopleC−3.2 years of area income·Overall B− · #169 of 259
219Pikesvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 33,524 peopleC−4.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #156 of 259
220Silver Springunincorporated, Montgomery County · 81,462 peopleC−4.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #76 of 259
221Savageunincorporated, Howard County · 8,239 peopleC−5.8 years of area income·Overall A · #61 of 259
222North Laurelunincorporated, Howard County · 25,563 peopleC−4.5 years of area income·Overall A · #28 of 259
223Mitchellvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,359 peopleD4.0 years of area income·Overall C+ · #182 of 259
224Edgewaterunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 8,519 peopleD5.8 years of area income·Overall B+ · #105 of 259
225Cockeysvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 23,962 peopleD4.8 years of area income·Overall C+ · #189 of 259
226Severnunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 58,402 peopleD5.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #116 of 259
228Fultonunincorporated, Howard County · 5,677 peopleD9.8 years of area income·Overall A+ · #16 of 259
229National Harborunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,454 peopleD3.7 years of area income·Overall C · #215 of 259
230Odentonunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 45,002 peopleD4.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #102 of 259
231Woodmoreunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,613 peopleD4.8 years of area income·Overall C · #209 of 259
232North Potomacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 23,922 peopleD6.9 years of area income·Overall A · #48 of 259
233Scaggsvilleunincorporated, Howard County · 10,564 peopleD6.7 years of area income·Overall A · #43 of 259
234Maryland Cityunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 19,186 peopleD4.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #155 of 259
236Chesterunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 4,797 peopleD5.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #90 of 259
237Ilchesterunincorporated, Howard County · 28,364 peopleD5.4 years of area income·Overall A+ · #23 of 259
238Towsonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 58,679 peopleD4.7 years of area income·Overall B− · #165 of 259
239Burnt Millsunincorporated, Montgomery County · 3,751 peopleD4.5 years of area income·Overall B+ · #111 of 259
241North Bethesdaunincorporated, Montgomery County · 49,677 peopleD5.8 years of area income·Overall A · #34 of 259
243Fairwoodunincorporated, Prince George's County · 7,526 peopleD5.6 years of area income·Overall B− · #166 of 259
244Potomacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 45,902 peopleD10.6 years of area income·Overall A · #40 of 259
245South Kensingtonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,148 peopleD7.3 years of area income·Overall A · #47 of 259
246Jessupunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 9,931 peopleD5.1 years of area income·Overall B · #139 of 259
247Columbiaunincorporated, Howard County · 104,338 peopleD5.1 years of area income·Overall A · #36 of 259
248Paroleunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 17,229 peopleD5.4 years of area income·Overall A− · #99 of 259
251Elkridgeunincorporated, Howard County · 26,283 peopleD4.8 years of area income·Overall A · #49 of 259
253Bethesdaunincorporated, Montgomery County · 69,397 peopleD8.9 years of area income·Overall A · #37 of 259
254Annapolis Neckunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 12,032 peopleD7.4 years of area income·Overall B+ · #112 of 259
255Darnestownunincorporated, Montgomery County · 7,051 peopleD7.9 years of area income·Overall A− · #74 of 259
256Travilahunincorporated, Montgomery County · 11,721 peopleD10.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #80 of 259
257Ellicott Cityunincorporated, Howard County · 75,257 peopleD−7.3 years of area income·Overall A · #50 of 259
258Chevy Chaseunincorporated, Montgomery County · 9,445 peopleD−9.8 years of area income·Overall A · #44 of 259
259Andrews AFBunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,130 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #179 of 259
260Fort Meadeunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 11,225 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #135 of 259
Not ranked
1 town without a cost of living grade
Towns of 2,500+ that don’t have the figures this grade needs. Each town’s page says which ones are missing.
- Naval Academy Anne Arundel County · 3,006 people
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most affordable town in Maryland?
Cresaptown (Allegany County) ranks first on cost of living among 260 towns, with an A; La Vale and Lusby follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a cost of living grade (260 in Maryland). 1 town of 2,500+ lack the figures and is listed above. Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Maryland page.
Go deeper
All Maryland rankings →More Maryland lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live259 towns · #1 DamascusBest small towns121 towns · #1 WalkersvilleSafest towns52 towns · #1 FrostburgTowns with the best schools261 towns · #1 Berlin and Ocean City and Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City and West Ocean CityHealthiest towns261 towns · #1 BethesdaBest towns for jobs & income261 towns · #1 FultonMost walkable towns261 towns · #1 Friendship Heights VillageTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk261 towns · #1 Naval AcademyBest towns for the outdoors261 towns · #1 Forest HeightsMost historic towns261 towns · #1 BaltimoreTowns with the most civic life67 towns · #1 ChestertownTowns with the least snow259 towns · #1 BethesdaDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns259 towns · #1 FrostburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters216 towns · #1 Ocean City and West Ocean CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers216 towns · #1 Brooklyn ParkDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers216 towns · #1 FrostburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes261 towns · #1 Chevy Chase and TravilahDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes251 towns · #1 CresaptownDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns66 towns · #1 DelmarDescribed, no letters
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