Cost of Living in Maryland for a Family of Four (2026)
A family of four in Maryland needs about $8,372 a month ($100,464 a year) to cover a typical household budget before saving. That is 8% above the U.S. average of $7,777 and ranks #8 of 51, where #1 is the most expensive.
Rent is the main reason it costs more. Maryland's rent level is 121% of the national average, so a typical three-bedroom rental with utilities runs about $2,458 a month, compared with $2,030 nationally. Everyday goods such as groceries and clothing cost 3% more than the national average, which puts this family's grocery bill at about $1,069 a month on the USDA low-cost food plan.
To cover this budget and still save 15% of take-home pay, a family would need about $9,849 a month after taxes ($118,193 a year).
Monthly budget in Maryland by household
The family is two parents aged 38 and 40 with children aged 9 and 4, the youngest in paid childcare, renting a three-bedroom home. The couple is two adults aged 35 and the single adult is 30, each renting a one-bedroom home.
| Category | Family of four | Couple | Single adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & utilities | $2,458 | $1,607 | $1,607 |
| Groceries | $1,069 | $669 | $365 |
| Dining out & takeout | $267 | $167 | $91 |
| Transportation | $1,260 | $1,260 | $630 |
| Health care | $711 | $467 | $234 |
| Childcare | $1,153 | $0 | $0 |
| Phone & internet | $155 | $155 | $115 |
| Clothing | $223 | $158 | $112 |
| Household & personal care | $259 | $183 | $129 |
| Entertainment & hobbies | $406 | $287 | $203 |
| Gifts, giving & other | $411 | $291 | $206 |
| Total per month | $8,372 | $5,243 | $3,691 |
| Total per year | $100,464 | $62,921 | $44,291 |
Estimates for 2026 from LifeCalculator's family budget model: BEA Regional Price Parities by state (2024, released February 2026), USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (August 2026, low-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024), Census median gross rent (2024) and Child Care Aware of America (2025). Figures from 2024 are adjusted by about 5% for price changes since. Savings and income taxes are not included.
What moves the number
- Childcare. Paid care for the 4-year-old adds about $1,153 a month. Without it, the family budget falls to about $7,219.
- Housing. The figure assumes renting at the state's typical level. Rents in big cities run well above the state average, and rural areas well below it.
- Cars. Transportation assumes typical costs for two drivers, including a car payment. Families with paid-off cars spend less.
- Price level. Overall, prices in Maryland are 5% above the national average (BEA all-items index 105.0).
States with similar costs
- New York: $8,607 a month (#5)
- Washington: $8,582 a month (#6)
- Massachusetts: $8,428 a month (#7)
- Colorado: $8,335 a month (#9)
- Florida: $8,233 a month (#10)
- Oregon: $8,163 a month (#11)
See all 50 states and D.C. on the cost of living by state page, or read what it costs a family of four to live in every state.
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