Maryland Cost of Living & Rents (2026)
Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 7 benchmark metropolitan areas in Maryland.
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Metropolitan Areas in Maryland
| Metro Area | COL Index | HUD 1BR Rent | HUD 2BR Rent | Living Wage | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvert County, MD | 150.2 | $1,666/mo | $1,890/mo | $33.21/hr | View |
| St. Mary's County, MD | 134.3 | $1,642/mo | $1,787/mo | $29.69/hr | View |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 123.3 | $1,625/mo | $2,006/mo | $27.27/hr | View |
| Lexington Park, MD | 109.8 | $1,340/mo | $1,640/mo | $22.90/hr | View |
| Salisbury, MD | 108.2 | $1,102/mo | $1,428/mo | $23.93/hr | View |
| Somerset County, MD | 100.2 | $910/mo | $1,144/mo | $22.16/hr | View |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 96.0 | $982/mo | $1,284/mo | $21.23/hr | View |
Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for Maryland. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, and metropolitan living costs. Official 2026 economic data for Maryland compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 117.4 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $1,324 a month.
The average living wage for a single adult in Maryland is approximately $25.77/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $25.66/hour to cover basic necessities.