The 21532 zip code in Frostburg tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Maryland.
Whether you're searching for affordable cities and towns to buy a home or the places with the lowest cost of living to rent, consider the following zip codes.
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Top 10 most affordable places to live in Maryland
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frostburg 🥇 | 100.0 | $175,267 | $800 |
| 2 | Cumberland 🥈 | 99.2 | $151,214 | $1,018 |
| 3 | Baltimore 🥉 | 86.5 | $71,896 | $1,447 |
| 4 | Abingdon | 86.4 | $374,707 | $1,894 |
| 5 | Reisterstown | 85.9 | $408,352 | $1,479 |
| 6 | Edgewood | 84.8 | $264,033 | $1,617 |
| 7 | Lusby | 84.4 | $375,541 | $1,920 |
| 8 | Joppa | 83.8 | $367,105 | $2,004 |
| 9 | Burtonsville | 81.3 | $468,435 | $2,291 |
| 10 | Hollywood | 80.7 | $512,309 | $2,004 |
What these affordable cities and towns have in common
The 10 zip codes we ranked share a common trait: a low cost of living relative to the Maryland median.
Median home values, rental costs, and property taxes generally sit below the state averages, while household incomes remain strong enough to keep home affordability ratios manageable. Below, we look at each market in detail.
1. Frostburg
Here's why the 21532 zip code in Frostburg is Maryland's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Frostburg
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $175,267[1] | No. 9 | -$281,944 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.8 | No. 8 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.7%[2] | No. 165 | 10.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.3%[3] | No. 166 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $800[4] | No. 1 | -$1,204 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.26% | No. 3 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $63,690[5] | No. 159 | -$46,749 |
| Property taxes | $1,794[6] | No. 6 | -$2,616 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[7] | No. 4 | -$0.04 |
Frostburg's 21532 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Maryland, leading the 174 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $175,267, making it the 9th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.3% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $800 per month, which is the 3rd cheapest amount in Maryland.
The median property tax for homeowners in Frostburg is $1,794 per household, the No. 6 ranked market in Maryland.
Residents pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 4 among Maryland markets.
📈 Thinking about buying in Maryland? See our complete housing market outlook for the data, trends, and timing insights Maryland buyers need to know.
2. Cumberland
The 21502 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Cumberland
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 99.2 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $151,214[1] | No. 6 | -$305,997 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 4 | -1.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.0%[2] | No. 162 | 9.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.3%[3] | No. 166 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,018[4] | No. 2 | -$986 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.68% | No. 39 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $60,725[5] | No. 163 | -$49,714 |
| Property taxes | $1,680[6] | No. 4 | -$2,730 |
| Energy costs | $0.09 kWh[7] | No. 4 | -$0.04 |
Cumberland's 21502 zip code has a median home value of $151,214, which is the 6th-cheapest housing market in Maryland. You can rent for an average of $1,018 per month. That's the 2nd-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $60,725, which ranks 163rd-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Cumberland pay a median property tax of $1,680 per year, making it the 4th-most affordable market in Maryland.
Cumberland ranks No. 4 among Maryland energy markets. You'll pay $0.09 per kWh of electricity.
3. Baltimore
The 3rd-least-expensive place to live in Maryland is Baltimore's 21223 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Baltimore
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.5 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $71,896[1] | No. 1 | -$385,315 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.6 | No. 1 | -2.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 19.2%[2] | No. 77 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.4%[3] | No. 4 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,447[4] | No. 7 | -$557 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.16% | No. 169 | 1.3% |
| Median household income | $45,840[5] | No. 170 | -$64,599 |
| Property taxes | $1,281[6] | No. 1 | -$3,129 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 1 cheapest housing market in Maryland is Baltimore's 21223 zip code, with a median home value of $71,896. Rents in the market average $1,447 per month, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Baltimore is $1,281, which makes it the 1st-cheapest place in Maryland. Baltimore ranks No. 39 among Maryland markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity.
4. Abingdon
The 21009 zip code in Abingdon comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Abingdon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.4 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $374,707[1] | No. 52 | -$82,504 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 13 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.0%[2] | No. 136 | 5.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[3] | No. 85 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,894[4] | No. 60 | -$110 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.56% | No. 22 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $121,660[5] | No. 68 | $11,221 |
| Property taxes | $3,146[6] | No. 36 | -$1,264 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 52 cheapest housing market in Maryland is Abingdon's 21009 zip code, where the median home value is $374,707. Renters here pay an average of $1,894 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Abingdon ranks 39th among Maryland markets. Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $3,146, which makes it the 36th-cheapest market in Maryland.
5. Reisterstown
The 21136 zip code in Reisterstown ranks No. 5 among Maryland's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Reisterstown
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 85.9 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $408,352[1] | No. 70 | -$48,859 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 35 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 20.8%[2] | No. 101 | 1.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[3] | No. 85 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,479[4] | No. 10 | -$525 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.25% | No. 2 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $118,500[5] | No. 73 | $8,061 |
| Property taxes | $4,258[6] | No. 89 | -$152 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Reisterstown's 21136 zip code has a median home value of $408,352, the 70th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.9% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Reisterstown is $4,258. It's the 89th-cheapest market by tax rate in Maryland.
6. Edgewood
The No. 6 most affordable city in Maryland is the 21040 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Edgewood
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.8 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $264,033[1] | No. 21 | -$193,178 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 19 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 23.5%[2] | No. 130 | 4.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[3] | No. 85 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,617[4] | No. 23 | -$387 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.98% | No. 119 | 0.2% |
| Median household income | $81,704[5] | No. 142 | -$28,735 |
| Property taxes | $2,020[6] | No. 9 | -$2,390 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Edgewood's 21040 zip code, which has the 21st-cheapest home values in Maryland. The median home value is $264,033. Rents average $1,617 per month, making it the 23rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity. It's the 39th-cheapest energy market.
7. Lusby
Lusby's 20657 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Maryland.
🔎 Key data about Lusby
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.4 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $375,541[1] | No. 54 | -$81,670 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 20 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 26.4%[2] | No. 149 | 7.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[3] | No. 39 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,920[4] | No. 62 | -$84 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.66% | No. 33 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $115,748[5] | No. 78 | $5,309 |
| Property taxes | $3,025[6] | No. 28 | -$1,385 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[7] | No. 16 | -$0.02 |
You'll find the 54th-cheapest home values in Maryland in Lusby's 20657 zip code. The median value: $375,541. Renters in Lusby pay an average of $1,920 per month.
Homeowners in Lusby pay a median property tax of $3,025 per year, which is Maryland's 28th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $115,748, which ranks 78th-highest in the state.
8. Joppa
The 8th-least-expensive place to live in Maryland is Joppa's 21085 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Joppa
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.8 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $367,105[1] | No. 49 | -$90,106 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 18 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 20.3%[2] | No. 90 | 1.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[3] | No. 85 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $2,004[4] | No. 78 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.81% | No. 56 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $113,714[5] | No. 82 | $3,275 |
| Property taxes | $2,854[6] | No. 22 | -$1,556 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 49th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Joppa's 21085 zip code, with a median home value of $367,105. Renters pay an average of $2,004 per month, the No. 78 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Joppa is $2,854, which makes it the 22nd-cheapest place in Maryland. The average household income of $113,714 ranks 82nd.
9. Burtonsville
Burtonsville's 20866 zip code is one of Maryland's most affordable towns, sneaking into the top ten of our rankings.
🔎 Key data about Burtonsville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 81.3 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $468,435[1] | No. 100 | $11,224 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 23 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.6%[2] | No. 42 | -2.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[3] | No. 39 | -0.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,291[4] | No. 143 | $287 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.63% | No. 29 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $140,308[5] | No. 38 | $29,869 |
| Property taxes | $3,893[6] | No. 74 | -$517 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 100th-cheapest housing market in Maryland is Burtonsville's 20866 zip code, where the median home value is $468,435. Renters pay an average of $2,291 per month. It's the state's 143rd-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $3,893, which makes it the 74th-cheapest property tax rate in Maryland.
10. Hollywood
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Maryland goes to the 20636 zip code in Hollywood.
🔎 Key data about Hollywood
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 174 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 80.7 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $512,309[1] | No. 123 | $55,098 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 15 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 21.1%[2] | No. 105 | 1.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.9%[3] | No. 85 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $2,004[4] | No. 78 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.81% | No. 56 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $163,690[5] | No. 14 | $53,251 |
| Property taxes | $4,099[6] | No. 82 | -$311 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[7] | No. 16 | -$0.02 |
Rounding out our top 10 is Hollywood's 20636 zip code, with the 123rd-cheapest home values in Maryland.
The median home value is $512,309. Rent in the market costs $2,004 per month on average.
The median property tax for households in Hollywood is $4,099, which is the 82nd-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Hollywood ranks No. 16 among Maryland markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.10 per kWh of electricity.
What questions about these cities should I ask local agents?
Once you've found a town you're interested in, you'll want to ask a local agent for details our rankings can't capture. Start with these four questions:
- What neighborhoods inside this zip code have the best resale value?
- What's the rental market like right now?
- Are there local property tax exemptions or homestead programs you'd qualify for?
- What are the most common surprises buyers run into here?
🏡 Need a local agent? We can connect you with an expert who knows the market.
Frequently asked questions about the least expensive places to live in Maryland
Based on Clever's Affordability Score, the 21532 zip code in Frostburg is the cheapest place to live in Maryland.
The median home value is $175,267, and the median household income is $63,690, giving Frostburg a home affordability ratio of 2.8, meaning a typical home costs about that many times the median annual income.
See our Affordability Score methodology and the full ranking of the 10 cheapest places to live in Maryland.
The median home value in Maryland is $457,211.
See the rankings above for how individual cities compare to these state-wide figures.
Maryland is currently a neutral market, according to Clever's Market Heat Index.
The index reflects the balance between buyer demand and seller supply, which affects how much negotiating power buyers and sellers have in any given market.
Markets also vary by city, county, and neighborhood. It's always good to check with a local real estate agent to understand the dynamics of a given local market.
The median amount homeowners pay in property taxes in Maryland is $4,410 per year.
Property taxes are a key part of the overall cost of living, and they vary significantly by location. The per-city tax figures in the rankings above show how each of the 10 cheapest places stacks up against the Maryland median.
📍 The 10 cheapest places to live in your region
How we ranked the most affordable cities and towns in Maryland
We evaluated 174 zip codes in Maryland with a population over 10,000 on home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. 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 13.0% 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 28.0% 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 10.0% 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 8.0% 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 7.0% 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 5.0% 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 17.0% 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 8.0% 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 4.0% 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.
Why you should trust us
Clever has earned home buyers’ and home sellers' trust with more than 4,000 5-star customer ratings on Trustpilot.
Our team is committed to making home purchasing more transparent by educating buyers and sellers through guides like this one. Our writers, editors, and industry-leading researchers strive to provide readers with the most up-to-date, accurate, and useful information.
Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more publications.
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