Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in Maryland
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 311 Maryland ZIPs qualify.
Maryland ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 21562Westernport
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 73.0
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 52°F
- Avg. commute
- 30 min
2ZIP 21545Frostburg
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 73.8
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 51°F
- Avg. commute
- 24 min
3ZIP 21223Baltimore
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 74.4
- ZIP population
- ~20k
- Avg. temperature
- 59°F
- Avg. commute
- 30 min
4ZIP 21217Baltimore
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 79.0
- ZIP population
- ~31k
- Avg. temperature
- 59°F
- Avg. commute
- 33 min
5ZIP 21205Baltimore
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 80.2
- ZIP population
- ~13k
- Avg. temperature
- 59°F
- Avg. commute
- 28 min
6ZIP 21216Baltimore
Maryland
- Cost of living index
- 80.2
- ZIP population
- ~29k
- Avg. temperature
- 57°F
- Avg. commute
- 33 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 21817 | Crisfield | Somerset County | 80.9 |
| #8 | 21213 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 81.1 |
| #9 | 21750 | Hancock | Washington County | 82.9 |
| #10 | 21502 | Cumberland | Allegany County | 83.0 |
| #11 | 21215 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 83.7 |
| #12 | 21532 | Frostburg | Allegany County | 84.3 |
| #13 | 21804 | Salisbury | Wicomico County | 84.9 |
| #14 | 21229 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 85.0 |
| #15 | 21719 | Cascade | Washington County | 86.2 |
| #16 | 21225 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 86.6 |
| #17 | 21853 | Princess Anne | Somerset County | 86.6 |
| #18 | 21202 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 87.2 |
| #19 | 21218 | Baltimore | Baltimore County | 87.3 |
| #20 | 21740 | Hagerstown | Washington County | 88.2 |
| #21 | 21040 | Edgewood | Harford County | 88.5 |
| #22 | 21875 | Laurel | Wicomico County | 88.6 |
| #23 | 21530 | Flintstone | Allegany County | 88.9 |
| #24 | 21657 | Queen Anne | Queen Anne's County | 89.0 |
| #25 | 21222 | Dundalk | Baltimore County | 89.2 |
Rank Maryland by your own priorities
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More Maryland research
Best ZIP codes for schools
Ranked by school quality index
- Maryland median ZIP
- 38.8
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 28.4 to 47.0
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- Maryland median ZIP
- 31.4 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 23.6 min to 39.5 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Maryland median ZIP
- 94.8
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 87.5 to 98.7
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Maryland median ZIP
- 93.1%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 83.2% to 97.7%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Maryland median ZIP
- 56.4°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 54.4°F to 57.9°F