The 21502 zip code in Cumberland tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Maryland.
We looked at 180 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 | $141,303 | $1,966 |
| 2 | Edgewood🥈 | 98.5 | $253,530 | $1,497 |
| 3 | Baltimore 🥉 | 97.3 | $247,714 | $1,319 |
| 4 | Frostburg | 96.0 | $167,783 | $1,966 |
| 5 | Dundalk | 89.9 | $218,915 | $1,322 |
| 6 | Parkville | 87.2 | $290,708 | $1,535 |
| 7 | Windsor Mill | 85.6 | $304,004 | $1,479 |
| 8 | Lusby | 85.4 | $344,719 | $1,900 |
| 9 | Reisterstown | 84.8 | $392,061 | $1,394 |
| 10 | Nottingham | 83.6 | $321,701 | $1,760 |
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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 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $141,303[1] | No. 6 | -$307,129.50 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 3 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 33.9%[2] | No. 100 | 2.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.8%[3] | No. 167 | 0.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,966[4] | No. 69 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 59 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $56,958[5] | No. 168 | -$47,714 |
| Property taxes | $1,736[6] | No. 5 | -$2,448 |
| 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 180 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $141,303, making it the 6th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -1.8% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,966 per month, which is the 59th 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. Edgewood
The 21040 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Edgewood
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.5 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $253,530[8] | No. 21 | -$194,902.84 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9 | No. 9 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 43.2%[9] | No. 164 | 11.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.1%[10] | No. 22 | -0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,497[11] | No. 15 | -$469 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.74% | No. 35 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $86,195[12] | No. 124 | -$18,477 |
| Property taxes | $2,076[13] | No. 10 | -$2,108 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[14] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
Edgewood's 21040 zip code has a median home value of $253,530, which is the 22nd-cheapest housing market in Maryland. You can rent for an average of $1,497 per month. That's the 15th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $86,195, which ranks 124th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Edgewood pay a median property tax of $2,076 per year, making it the 10th-most affordable market in Maryland.
Edgewood ranks No. 25 among Maryland energy markets. You'll pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
3. Baltimore
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Maryland is Baltimore's 21214 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Baltimore
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 97.3 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $247,714[15] | No. 20 | -$200,718.90 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 14 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 39.0%[16] | No. 150 | 7.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.4%[17] | No. 8 | -0.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,319[18] | No. 5 | -$646 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.70% | No. 29 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $77,398[19] | No. 151 | -$27,274 |
| Property taxes | $3,526[20] | No. 62 | -$658 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[21] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The No. 20 cheapest housing in Maryland is Baltimore's 21214 zip code, with a median home value of $247,714. Rents in the market average $1,319 per month, making it the 5th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Baltimore is $3,526, which makes it the 62nd-cheapest place in Maryland. Baltimore 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 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.0 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $167,783[22] | No. 8 | -$280,650.27 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 10 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 35.9%[23] | No. 123 | 4.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.8%[24] | No. 167 | 0.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,966[25] | No. 69 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 59 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $55,761[26] | No. 169 | -$48,911 |
| Property taxes | $1,654[27] | No. 4 | -$2,530 |
| 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 $167,783. Renters here pay an average of $1,966 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. Dundalk
The 21222 zip code in Dundalk ranks No. 5 among Maryland's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Dundalk
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.9 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $218,915[29] | No. 16 | -$229,518.11 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 47 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.4%[30] | No. 158 | 8.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.3%[31] | No. 9 | -0.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,322[32] | No. 6 | -$644 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 142 | 0.3% |
| Median household income | $60,483[33] | No. 163 | -$44,189 |
| Property taxes | $2,427[34] | No. 14 | -$1,757 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[35] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
Dundalk's 21222 zip code has a median home value of $218,915, the 16th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -3.3% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Dundalk is $2,427. It's the 14th-cheapest market by tax rate in Maryland.
6. Parkville
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Maryland is the 21234 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Parkville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.2 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $290,708[36] | No. 30 | -$157,724.59 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 43 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 32.4%[37] | No. 84 | 1.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.1%[38] | No. 22 | -0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,535[39] | No. 24 | -$431 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.90% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $80,692[40] | No. 134 | -$23,980 |
| Property taxes | $3,195[41] | No. 43 | -$989 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[42] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Parkville's 21234 zip code, which has the 30th-cheapest home values in Maryland. The median home value is $290,708. Rents average $1,535 per month, making it the 24th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity. It's the 25th-cheapest energy market.
7. Windsor Mill
Windsor Mill's 21244 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Windsor Mill
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 85.6 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $304,004[43] | No. 35 | -$144,428.91 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 63 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 36.3%[44] | No. 131 | 4.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.0%[45] | No. 38 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,479[46] | No. 13 | -$487 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.84% | No. 53 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $80,335[47] | No. 138 | -$24,337 |
| Property taxes | $2,799[48] | No. 25 | -$1,385 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[49] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 35th-cheapest home values in Maryland in Windsor Mill's 21244 zip code. The median value: $304,004. Renters in Windsor Mill pay an average of $1,479 per month.
Homeowners in Windsor Mill pay a median property tax of $2,799 per year, which is Maryland's 25th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $80,335, which ranks 138th-highest in the state.
8. Lusby
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Maryland is Lusby's 20657 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Lusby
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 85.4 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $344,719[50] | No. 47 | -$103,714.21 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 11 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 37.8%[51] | No. 143 | 6.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.2%[52] | No. 116 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,900[53] | No. 59 | -$66 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.72% | No. 31 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $110,669[54] | No. 76 | $5,997 |
| Property taxes | $2,834[55] | No. 26 | -$1,350 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[56] | No. 106 | $0.00 |
The 47th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Lusby's 20657 zip code, with a median home value of $344,719. Renters pay an average of $1,900 per month, the No. 59 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Lusby is $2,834, which makes it the 26th-cheapest place in Maryland. The average household income of $110,669 ranks 76th.
9. Reisterstown
Reisterstown's 21136 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Maryland's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Reisterstown
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.8 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $392,061[57] | No. 68 | -$56,372.18 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.7 | No. 58 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 34.0%[58] | No. 101 | 2.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.9%[59] | No. 56 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,394[60] | No. 8 | -$572 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.32% | No. 4 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $105,300[61] | No. 88 | $628 |
| Property taxes | $3,941[62] | No. 93 | -$243 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[63] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The 68th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Reisterstown's 21136 zip code, where the median home value is $392,061. Renters pay an average of $1,394 per month. It's the state's 8th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $3,941, which makes it the 93rd-cheapest property tax rate in Maryland.
10. Nottingham
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Maryland goes to the 21236 zip code in Nottingham.
🔎 Key data about Nottingham
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 180 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.6 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $321,701[64] | No. 37 | -$126,731.70 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.5 | No. 32 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 26.5%[65] | No. 27 | -5.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.9%[66] | No. 56 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,760[67] | No. 46 | -$206 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.92% | No. 111 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $91,855[68] | No. 112 | -$12,817 |
| Property taxes | $3,467[69] | No. 59 | -$717 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[70] | No. 25 | $0.00 |
The 37th-most affordable market in Maryland is Nottingham's 21236 zip code. The median home value is $321,701. Rent in the market costs $1,760 per month on average, making it the 46th-most affordable rental market in Maryland.
The median property tax for households in Nottingham is $3,467, which is the 59th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Nottingham 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 180 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.
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.
Methodology: What is an Affordability Score?
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.
