Maryland attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: Excellent job opportunities, affordable healthcare, and access to major cities. You can’t go wrong with the Free State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $400,000. Cumberland’s cost of living is 26.8% lower than the national average, and Cambridge is 18.6% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Easton’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $434K. Meanwhile, Dundalk offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $215,622.
Cheapest Places to Live in Maryland in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Maryland. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | $45,915 | $144,519 | 18,769 | 3.0% | 21.8% |
| Baltimore | $58,349 | $188,598 | 569,931 | 2.2% | 19.6% |
| Aberdeen | $74,555 | $327,022 | 16,859 | 5.0% | 13.1% |
| Salisbury | $53,309 | $255,792 | 33,209 | 3.4% | 22.3% |
| Cambridge | $44,114 | $259,553 | 13,129 | 3.2% | 22.3% |
| Hagerstown | $48,481 | $278,016 | 43,701 | 2.9% | 22.9% |
| Greenbelt | $82,019 | $284,281 | 24,360 | 7.8% | 14.5% |
| Bel Air South | $113,739 | $395,000 | 57,109 | 4.7% | 4.13% |
| Easton | $75,198 | $436,920 | 17,225 | 2.8% | 9.2% |
| Dundalk | $61,217 | $216,991 | 66,321 | 6.0% | 17.2% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Maryland
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Free State:
#1 Cumberland
- Median house rent is $900 | Rental prices range between $352 and $2,200.
- Median home value of Cumberland is $147,108.
- Cost of living in Cumberland is 26.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Cumberland, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Cumberland is an affordable place to live in Maryland. It offers affordable healthcare 15.8% lower than the national average. The city is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. This includes the nearby Appalachian Mountains and the Potomac River. Apart from this, Belt Paving and S Schwab & Co are the top employers in the city.
» Cumberland Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the city of Maryland.
#2 Baltimore
- Median house rent is $1,500 | Rental prices range between $100 and $12,000.
- Median home value of Baltimore is $184,748.
- Cost of living in Baltimore is 7.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Baltimore, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230
Baltimore is one of the cheap places to live in Maryland with an average home rent ranging from $100 – $12,000. It also offers affordable housing which is 39.8% lower than the national average. The city is renowned for its rich industrial and manufacturing heritage. It hosts the oldest public market system in the United States. Additionally, the city is a hub for esteemed universities and hospitals in the nation.
» Baltimore Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of cheap homes in Maryland.
#3 Aberdeen
- Median house rent is $1,881 | Rental prices range between $1,195 and $3,000.
- Median home value of Aberdeen is $324,699.
- Cost of living in Aberdeen is 3.8% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 popular zips in Aberdeen, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
With rental costs below the national average, Aberdeen stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Maryland. Healthcare costs are also 15.6% less than the national average. The city is home to world-class schools like Aberdeen High School and Aberdeen Middle School. Besides this, it is home to major companies like Apg Federal Credit Union and Cook Auto.
» Aberdeen Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of cheap homes in Maryland.
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#4 Salisbury
- Median house rent is $1,595 | Rental prices range between $630 and $3,980.
- Median home value of Salisbury is $255,841.
- Cost of living in Salisbury is 16.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Salisbury, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Salisbury offers budget-friendly living options with housing costs 39.6% lower than the national average. Moreover, the transportation costs are 20.6% less. The city is home to Salisbury University, ranked among the top universities in the state. Additionally, the city has top employers like TidalHealth and Perdue Farms for job seekers.
» Salisbury Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of cheap homes in Maryland.
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#5 Cambridge
- Median house rent is $1,899 | Rental prices range between $1,000 and $3,500.
- Median home value of Cambridge is $256,061.
- Cost of living in Cambridge is 18.6% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Cambridge, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Often referred to as the ‘Groove City,’ Cambridge’s cost of living is 18.6% lower than the national average. The average transportation expenses are 24.8% below the national average. Cambridge’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live. Apart from this, Egide USA and LWRC International are some major companies that provide jobs in the city.
» Cambridge Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cheapest places to buy a house in Maryland.
#6 Hagerstown
- Median house rent is $1,250 | Rental prices range between $750 and $3,500.
- Median home value of Hagerstown is $278,474.
- Cost of living in Hagerstown is 7.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Hagerstown, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
With an average household income of $48,481, you can comfortably live in Hagerstown. The utility costs are also 10.1% lower than the national average. Besides this, the city offers outdoor activities like fishing and boating in Greenbrier State Park. Additionally, Allegheny Energy, Inc. and Phoenix Color contribute to the city’s strong job market.
» Hagerstown Home for Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Maryland.
#7 Greenbelt
- Median house rent is $2,331 | Rental prices range between $580 and $4,000.
- Median home value of Greenbelt is $288,009.
- Cost of living in Greenbelt is 8.1% higher than the state average.
- 3 popular zips in Greenbelt, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Greenbelt is one of the best places to live in Maryland. The monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $590, making it one of the most affordable options. Housing costs are also 12.3% lower than the nationwide median. Greenbelt is home to top-rated school like the Eleanor Roosevelt High School. The city is an ideal place for families to settle down and thrive.
» Greenbelt Homes for Sale: Search cheap houses for sale in Maryland.
#8 Bel Air South
- Median home value of Bel Air South is $445,615.
- Cost of living in Bel Air South is 3.8% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 popular zips in Bel Air South, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Bel Air South is one of the most affordable places to live in Maryland with a 3.8% lower cost of living compared to the MD average. Moreover, healthcare costs are also 15.6% cheaper in Bel Air South. The city is also expected to see growth of 23.8% in job sectors in the coming years. The top two employers such as Constellation Energy and Pegasystems boast many job opportunities in the city.
» Bel Air South Homes for Sale: Find a home in inexpensive places to live in Maryland.
#9 Easton
- Median house rent is $2,500 | Rental prices range between $1,665 and $3,550.
- Median home value of Easton is $434,421.
- Cost of living in Easton is 5.3% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 popular zips in Easton, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Easton’s healthcare costs 17.7% cheaper than the national average. This makes it one of the most affordable cities in Maryland for senior citizens. Moreover, Easton is an hour and a half away from major city like Washington DC. The city is a hub for job employment. Companies like The Whalen Company and Celeste Industries are the top employers.
» Easton Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Maryland.
#10 Dundalk
- Median house rent is $1,850 | Rental prices range between $950 and $2,900.
- Median home value of Dundalk is $215,622.
- Cost of living in Dundalk is 6.5% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 popular zips in Dundalk, MD: 21842 | 21224 | 21230.
Dundalk is one of the cheapest cities to live in Maryland with an average housing cost of 41.8% lower than the US average. The city is home to major companies like Belfast Valley Concrete and INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS INC. These companies offer jobs in the construction and insurance sectors.
» Dundalk Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the most affordable places to buy a house.
Bottom Line
The cost of living in Maryland is 16% higher than the national average. It is also home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to shift to Maryland, you can find cheap houses in Maryland in cities like Cumberland, Baltimore, and Aberdeen.
Cities like Easton and Bel Air South have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Maryland’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in MD Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in Maryland, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, Zillow and Best Places.
FAQs
What is the cheapest place to live in Maryland?
The cheapest place to live in Maryland is Cumberland.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Maryland: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Maryland!
What makes Maryland the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $422,066. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Maryland?
The best place to live in Maryland is Columbia, followed by Baltimore, Annapolis, Rockville, Bethesda, Catonsville, and Ellicott City.
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