The 21502 zip code in Cumberland tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Maryland.
We looked at 179 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Maryland
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland 🥇 | 100.0 | $139,702 | $916 |
| 2 | Baltimore 🥈 | 88.0 | $77,913 | $1,404 |
| 3 | Edgewood 🥉 | 87.6 | $252,767 | $1,594 |
| 4 | Frostburg | 86.9 | $163,516 | $1,970 |
| 5 | Parkville | 77.2 | $290,752 | $1,601 |
| 6 | Windsor Mill | 76.6 | $309,675 | $1,499 |
| 7 | Reisterstown | 75.5 | $393,978 | $1,429 |
| 8 | Abingdon | 75.4 | $369,051 | $1,780 |
| 9 | Nottingham | 74.7 | $322,720 | $1,767 |
| 10 | Dundalk | 74.2 | $219,046 | $1,577 |
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1. Cumberland
Here's why the 21502 zip code in Cumberland is Maryland's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Cumberland
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $139,702[1] | No. 6 | -$310,185 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 5 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 35.9%[2] | No. 134 | 4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[3] | No. 166 | 0.4% |
| Rental costs | $916[4] | No. 1 | -$1,054 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.61% | No. 12 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,958[5] | No. 167 | -$47,425 |
| Property taxes | $1,736[6] | No. 5 | -$2,440 |
| Energy costs | $0.07 kWh[7] | No. 1 | -$0.03 |
Cumberland's 21502 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Maryland, leading the 179 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $139,702, making it the 6th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.0% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $916 per month, which is the 12th cheapest amount in Maryland.
The median property tax for homeowners in Cumberland is $1,736 per household, the No. 5 ranked market in Maryland.
Residents pay $0.07 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 1 among Maryland markets.
2. Baltimore
The 21217 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Baltimore
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.0 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $77,913[8] | No. 2 | -$371,974 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.1 | No. 2 | -2.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 8%[9] | No. 1 | -24% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[10] | No. 9 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,404[11] | No. 6 | -$566 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.83% | No. 177 | 1.9% |
| Median household income | $36,665[12] | No. 178 | -$67,718 |
| Property taxes | $1,542[13] | No. 3 | -$2,634 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[14] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
Baltimore's 21217 zip code has a median home value of $77,913, which is the 9th-cheapest housing market in Maryland. You can rent for an average of $1,404 per month. That's the 6th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $36,665, which ranks 178th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Baltimore pay a median property tax of $1,542 per year, making it the 3rd-most affordable market in Maryland.
Baltimore ranks No. 25 among Maryland energy markets. You'll pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
3. Edgewood
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Maryland is Edgewood's 21040 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Edgewood
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.6 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $252,767[15] | No. 21 | -$197,120 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9 | No. 10 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 39%[16] | No. 150 | 8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[17] | No. 13 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,594[18] | No. 21 | -$376 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.85% | No. 44 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $86,195[19] | No. 123 | -$18,188 |
| Property taxes | $2,076[20] | No. 10 | -$2,100 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[21] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The No. 21 cheapest housing market in Maryland is Edgewood's 21040 zip code, with a median home value of $252,767. Rents in the market average $1,594 per month, making it the 21st-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Edgewood is $2,076, which makes it the 10th-cheapest place in Maryland. Edgewood ranks No. 25 among Maryland markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
4. Frostburg
The 21532 zip code in Frostburg comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Frostburg
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.9 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $163,516[22] | No. 8 | -$286,371 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9 | No. 9 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 35%[23] | No. 128 | 3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0%[24] | No. 166 | 0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,970[25] | No. 69 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.89% | No. 49 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 55761[26] | No. 168 | -$48,622 |
| Property taxes | $1,654[27] | No. 4 | -$2,522 |
| Energy costs | $0.07 kWh[28] | No. 1 | -$0.03 |
The No. 8 cheapest housing market in Maryland is Frostburg's 21532 zip code, where the median home value is $163,516. Renters here pay an average of $1,970 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Frostburg ranks 1st among Maryland markets. Residents pay $0.07 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $1,654, which makes it the 4th-cheapest market in Maryland.
5. Parkville
The 21234 zip code in Parkville ranks No. 5 among Maryland's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Parkville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 77.2 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $290,752[29] | No. 31 | -$159,135 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 40 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 32%[30] | No. 97 | 1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[31] | No. 13 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,601[32] | No. 23 | -$369 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.98% | No. 114 | 0.1% |
| Median household income | $80,692[33] | No. 133 | -$23,691 |
| Property taxes | $3,195[34] | No. 43 | -$981 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[35] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
Parkville's 21234 zip code has a median home value of $290,752, the 31st-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.7% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Parkville is $3,195. It's the 43rd-cheapest market by tax rate in Maryland.
6. Windsor Mill
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Maryland is the 21244 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Windsor Mill
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 76.6 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $309,675[36] | No. 35 | -$140,212 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.9 | No. 63 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 32%[37] | No. 91 | 1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.6%[38] | No. 38 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,499[39] | No. 15 | -$471 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.87% | No. 47 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $80,335[40] | No. 137 | -$24,048 |
| Property taxes | $2,799[41] | No. 25 | -$1,377 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[42] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Windsor Mill's 21244 zip code, which has the 35th-cheapest home values in Maryland. The median home value is $309,675. Rents average $1,499 per month, making it the 15th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity. It's the 25th-cheapest energy market.
7. Reisterstown
Reisterstown's 21136 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Reisterstown
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 75.5 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $393,978[43] | No. 68 | -$55,909 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.7 | No. 55 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 33%[44] | No. 98 | 1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.6%[45] | No. 38 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,429[46] | No. 9 | -$541 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.36% | No. 3 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $105,300[47] | No. 87 | $917 |
| Property taxes | $3,941[48] | No. 93 | -$235 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[49] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 68th-cheapest home values in Maryland in Reisterstown's 21136 zip code. The median value: $393,978. Renters in Reisterstown pay an average of $1,429 per month.
Homeowners in Reisterstown pay a median property tax of $3,941 per year, which is Maryland's 93rd-most affordable market.
The average household income is $105,300, which ranks 87th-highest in the state.
8. Abingdon
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Maryland is Abingdon's 21009 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Abingdon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 75.4 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $369,051[50] | No. 56 | -$80,836 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 22 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 37%[51] | No. 143 | 6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.6%[52] | No. 38 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,780[53] | No. 50 | -$190 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.64% | No. 18 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $108,703[54] | No. 80 | $4,320 |
| Property taxes | $2,971[55] | No. 35 | -$1,205 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[56] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The 56th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Abingdon's 21009 zip code, with a median home value of $369,051. Renters pay an average of $1,780 per month, the No. 50 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Abingdon is $2,971, which makes it the 35th-cheapest place in Maryland. The average household income of $108,703 ranks 80th.
9. Nottingham
Nottingham's 21236 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Maryland's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Nottingham
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 74.7 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $322,720[57] | No. 37 | -$127,167 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.5 | No. 33 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 29%[58] | No. 45 | -3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.6%[59] | No. 38 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,767[60] | No. 48 | -$203 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.92% | No. 105 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $91,855[61] | No. 111 | -$12,528 |
| Property taxes | $3,467[62] | No. 59 | -$709 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[63] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The 37th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Nottingham's 21236 zip code, where the median home value is $322,720. Renters pay an average of $1,767 per month. It's the state's 48th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $3,467, which makes it the 59th-cheapest property tax rate in Maryland.
10. Dundalk
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Maryland goes to the 21222 zip code in Dundalk.
🔎 Key data about Dundalk
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 179 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 74.2 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $219,046[64] | No. 16 | -$230,841 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 43 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 38%[65] | No. 145 | 7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.7%[66] | No. 13 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,577[67] | No. 20 | -$393 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.61% | No. 162 | 0.7% |
| Median household income | $60,483[68] | No. 162 | -$43,900 |
| Property taxes | $2,427[69] | No. 14 | -$1,749 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[70] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The 16th-most affordable market in Maryland is Dundalk's 21222 zip code. The median home value is $219,046. Rent in the market costs $1,577 per month on average, making it the 20th-most affordable rental market in Maryland.
The median property tax for households in Dundalk is $2,427, which is the 14th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Dundalk ranks No. 25 among Maryland markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Maryland
We evaluated 179 zip codes in Maryland with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Maryland, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Maryland average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Maryland average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
