5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Maryland

Situated along the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is well-known for its scenic beauty, colonial heritage, close proximity to Washington, DC, and a mix of big cities, quaint coastal towns, and welcoming suburbs. If you’re currently living in Maryland or are considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of August, the median home sale price in Maryland is $431,200. 

If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected a list of the 5 most affordable places to live in Maryland. And they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Baltimore to Waldorf, learn what cities are in the top 5.

#1: Baltimore

Median home price: $224,900
Average sale price per square foot: $156 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,349 
Median household income: $52,164 
Baltimore, MD homes for sale
Baltimore, MD apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $224,900, Baltimore lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable place to live in Maryland. There are about 585,700 residents living in this city. If you’re considering moving to Baltimore make sure to take a guided tour of Fort McHenry, visit the Walters Art Museum, explore the National Aquarium, hike around Patapsco Valley State Park, or take a boat ride around the Inner Harbor.

#2: Dundalk

Median home price: $225,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $177 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,087 
Median household income: $55,489 
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (9 miles)
Dundalk, MD homes for sale
Dundalk, MD apartments for rent

Taking second place on our list of affordable cities to live in Maryland is Dundalk, just 9 miles east of Baltimore. When living in this city of 67,800 people, you can take in the picturesque views from one of the waterfront parks.

#3: Bel Air South

Median home price: $340,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $185 
Median household income: $100,824 
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (30 miles)
Bel Air South, MD homes for sale
Bel Air South, MD apartments for rent

Next is the city of Bel Air South, which has about 57,600 residents. The median home sale price is $340,000 which is about $90K less than the median home sale price in Maryland. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable place, make sure to visit Harford Glen Park or Winters Run Conservation Area, or check out the nearby Liriodendron Mansion. 

#4: Glen Burnie

Median home price: $362,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $226 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,522 
Median household income: $55,489 
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (10 miles)
Glen Burnie, MD homes for sale
Glen Burnie, MD apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Bel Air South is the city of Glen Burnie. With a population close to 72,900, there’s still plenty to do in Glen Burnie such as checking out one of the parks in town or going shopping.

#5: Waldorf

Median home price: $419,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,950 
Median household income: $55,489 
Nearest major metro: Alexandria, VA (22 miles)
Waldorf, MD homes for sale
Waldorf, MD apartments for rent

The final area on our list of affordable places to live in Maryland is Waldorf. With 81,400 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life without living in a major metropolitan area. Living in Waldorf, you can explore the trails in the nearby Cedarville State Forest or grab a meal at a local restaurant.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Maryland. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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