Cheapest Places to Live in Maryland (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in Maryland? We ranked 13 Maryland cities by median home value. The cheapest is Cumberland (~$181,000); the Maryland median is $451,500.
Most affordable cities in Maryland
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $181,000 | $171 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $221,000 | $168 |
| 3 | Glen Burnie | $419,000 | $244 |
| 4 | Waldorf | $440,000 | $212 |
| 5 | Frederick | $457,000 | $229 |
| 6 | Laurel | $480,000 | $253 |
| 7 | Columbia | $527,000 | $246 |
| 8 | Bowie | $540,000 | $250 |
| 9 | Gaithersburg | $584,500 | $254 |
| 10 | Silver Spring | $589,000 | $266 |
Most expensive cities in Maryland
The priciest Maryland markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethesda | $1,290,000 | $446 |
| 2 | Annapolis | $629,000 | $398 |
| 3 | Rockville | $592,000 | $341 |
| 4 | Silver Spring | $589,000 | $266 |
| 5 | Gaithersburg | $584,500 | $254 |
| 6 | Bowie | $540,000 | $250 |
| 7 | Columbia | $527,000 | $246 |
| 8 | Laurel | $480,000 | $253 |
| 9 | Frederick | $457,000 | $229 |
| 10 | Waldorf | $440,000 | $212 |
How we rank Maryland cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all Maryland home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
Maryland affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Maryland? +
Based on median home value, Cumberland is among the most affordable cities in Maryland, with a typical home around $181,000 — well below the Maryland median of $451,500.
What is the most expensive city in Maryland? +
By median home value, Bethesda is among the priciest in Maryland, with a typical home around $1,290,000.
Is Maryland an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Maryland is about $451,500 (54% more expensive than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $181,000 to $1,290,000.