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 in Maryland 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 2025
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in MD. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of living | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cumberland | $147,108 | $900 | 26.8% lower ⬇️ | $45,915 | 18,751 |
| 2. Baltimore | $184,748 | $1,500 | 7.4% lower ⬇️ | $58,349 | 565,239 |
| 3. Aberdeen | $324,699 | $1,881 | 3.8% lower ⬇️ | $74,555 | 18,006 |
| 4. Salisbury | $255,841 | $1,595 | 16.3% lower ⬇️ | $53,309 | 33,159 |
| 5. Cambridge | $256,061 | $1,899 | 18.6% lower ⬇️ | $44,114 | 13,176 |
| 6. Hagerstown | $278,474 | $1,250 | 7.4% lower ⬇️ | $48,481 | 43,553 |
| 7. Greenbelt | $288,009 | $2,331 | 8.1% higher ⬆️ | $82,019 | 24,360 |
| 8. Bel Air South | $445,615 | - | 3.8% lower ⬇️ | $113,739 | 57,109 |
| 9. Easton | $434,421 | $2,500 | 5.3% lower ⬇️ | $75,198 | 17,225 |
| 10. Dundalk | $215,622 | $1,850 | 6.5% lower ⬇️ | $61,217 | 66,321 |
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.
Cumberland is an affordable place to live in Maryland, with healthcare costs 15.8% lower than the national average. The city is surrounded by the scenic Appalachian Mountains and the Potomac River. It also has a thriving job market, with Belt Paving and S Schwab & Co. being the major employers.
» Cumberland Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the cheapest city in 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.
Baltimore is one of the cheapest places to live in Maryland with the median home rent being $1,500. Housing costs are also 39.8% less than nationwide and, with a free home worth estimator, you can get a ballpark figure in less than a minute. The city is also known for hosting the oldest public market system in the United States.
» 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.
Aberdeen is one of the most affordable cities to live in Maryland, with healthcare costs being 15.6% less than the national average. The city is home to world-class institutions like the Aberdeen High School and the University of Maryland. Companies like Apg Federal Credit Union and Cook Auto are major contributors to the local economy.
» Aberdeen Homes for Sale: Browse affordable living options in Aberdeen.
#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.
Salisbury offers affordable living in Maryland with housing costs 39.6% below nationwide on average, and transportation costs 20.6% lower. The city is home to Salisbury University, ranked among the top in the state. It also offers several job opportunities with the presence of key firms like TidalHealth and Perdue Farms.
» Salisbury Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the cheapest cities in Maryland.
#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.
Often referred to as the ‘Groove City’, transportation in Cambridge costs 24.8% less on average than nationwide. Cambridge’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation make it one of the cheapest cities to live in Maryland. Egide USA and LWRC International are two major employers in the city.
» Cambridge Homes for Sale: Find homes in this affordable city 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.
Utilities cost 10.1% lower than the national average. You can comfortably live in Hagerstown, with an average annual income of $48,481. The city also offers outdoor activities like fishing and boating in Greenbrier State Park. Allegheny Energy, Inc. and Phoenix Color are two key firms that contribute to the city’s strong job market.
» Hagerstown Home for Sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in MD.
#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.
Greenbelt is one of the best places to live in Maryland. The monthly expenditure on food for an individual is $590, which makes it highly affordable. Housing costs are also 12.3% lower than the national median. Greenbelt is also home to the top-rated Eleanor Roosevelt High School which makes it an ideal place for families.
» Greenbelt Homes for Sale: Search for homes in the city of Greenbelt.
#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.
Bel Air South is one of the most affordable places to live in Maryland. The cost of living is 3.8% lower compared to the state average, and healthcare 15.6%. The city is also expected to see a 23.8% job growth in the near future. Constellation Energy and Pegasystems are two key employers.
» Bel Air South Homes for Sale: Find a home in this modern Maryland city.
#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.
Healthcare in Easton costs 17.7% lower than the national average. This makes it one of the most affordable towns in Maryland for senior citizens. Easton also has access to most urban amenities, with an hour and a half’s distance from Washington DC. The city is a hub for jobs, with The Whalen Company and Celeste Industries being top employers.
» Easton Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the many cheap areas 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.
Dundalk is one of the cheapest cities to live in Maryland, with the average housing cost being 41.8% lower than nationwide. 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 inexpensive places to live in Maryland.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Maryland?
If you want to move to Maryland, you will find cheap houses for sale in Maryland under 200K in cities like Cumberland, Salisbury, and Cambridge. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Maryland cities.
Cities like Easton and Bel Air South are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Maryland.
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Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Maryland, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to live in Maryland?
The cheapest place to live in Maryland is Cumberland. It offers affordable transportation, which is 21% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Maryland: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Maryland.
Is Maryland expensive to live in?
Yes, it is. The median home value is $420,854. 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.
Which Maryland city has the lowest cost of living?
Cumberland has the lowest cost of living, which is 26.8% and 34.5% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
