7 Most Affordable Places to Live in Maryland in 2025

Situated along the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is well-known for its scenic beauty, colonial heritage, close proximity to Washington, DC, and a mix of big cities, quaint coastal towns, and welcoming suburbs. If you’re currently living in Maryland or are considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of July, the median home sale price in Maryland is $446,800. 

If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected a list of the 6 most affordable places to live in Maryland. And they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Baltimore to Waldorf, learn what cities are in the top 6.

#1: Baltimore

Median home price: $217,000
Average sale price per square foot: $167
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,522
Median household income: $52,164
Baltimore, MD homes for sale
Baltimore, MD apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $217,000, Baltimore lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable place to live in Maryland. There are about 585,700 residents living in this city. If you’re considering moving to Baltimore make sure to take a guided tour of Fort McHenry, visit the Walters Art Museum, explore the National Aquarium, hike around Patapsco Valley State Park, or take a boat ride around the Inner Harbor.

>> Read: Popular Baltimore, MD, Neighborhoods to Live in 2025

#2: Dundalk

Median home price: $233,500
Average sale price per square foot: $187
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,162
Median household income: $55,489
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (9 miles)
Dundalk, MD homes for sale
Dundalk, MD apartments for rent

Taking second place on our list of affordable cities to live in Maryland is Dundalk, just 9 miles east of Baltimore. When living in this city of 67,800 people, you can take in the picturesque views from one of the waterfront parks or eat at one of the many local restaurants.

#3: Hagerstown

Median home price: $257,250
Average sale price per square foot: $170
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,299
Median household income: $49,957
Nearest major metro: Washington, DC (70 miles)
Hagerstown, MD homes for sale
Hagerstown, MD apartments for rent

Next is the city of Hagerstown, which has about 43,500 residents. The median home sale price is $257,250 which is about $155K less than the median home sale price in Maryland. Hagerstown is located in northern Maryland, close to the Pennsylvania border, and is close to state parks like Greenbrier State Park, South Mountain State Park, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The city has plenty of museums like Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Jonathan Hager House Museum, and Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, which all showcase Hagerstown’s history. 

#4: Essex

Median home price: $289,000
Average sale price per square foot: $203
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,070
Median household income: $67,082
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (10 miles)
Essex, MD homes for sale
Essex, MD apartments for rent

The fourth most affordable place to live in Maryland is Essex, home to about 40,700 residents. A suburb of Baltimore, the median home sale price in Essex is $289,000. The city has plenty of water views which you can see at parks like Baltimore County Cox’s Point Park and Rocky Point Park and Beach. Essex also has several waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy regional dishes and fresh seafood. 

#5: Woodlawn

Median home price: $349,000
Average sale price per square foot: $192
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,179
Median household income: $78,591
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (11 miles)
Woodlawn, MD homes for sale
Woodlawn, MD apartments for rent

The fifth town on our list of affordable places to live in Maryland is Woodlawn. With 40,500 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life without living in a major metropolitan area. Another Baltimore suburb, Woodlawn is conveniently located near Patapsco Valley State Park which offers trails like the Ole Ranger Trail and historic landmarks such as the Historic Union Dam and Mill Race. 

#6: Glen Burnie

Median home price: $389,900
Average sale price per square foot: $254
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,544
Median household income: $55,489
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (10 miles)
Glen Burnie, MD homes for sale
Glen Burnie, MD apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Woodlawn is the city of Glen Burnie. With a population close to 72,900, there’s still plenty to do in Glen Burnie such as checking out one of the parks in town or going shopping. It’s also a great city to live in if you travel frequently, since it’s near the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. 

#7: Germantown

Median home price: $395,000
Average sale price per square foot: $266
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,599
Median household income: $109,268
Nearest major metro: Washington, DC (27 miles)
Germantown, MD homes for sale
Germantown, MD apartments for rent

Located north of Washington, DC, is the popular area of Germantown. With a median home sale price of $395,000, this area is an awesome affordable city to call home. Germantown is surrounded by plenty of green spaces, like Black Hill Regional Park, Hoyles Mill Conservation Park, and Seneca Creek State Park. You can also find plenty of parks and trails in town such as Gunners Lake Trailhead and Great Seneca Park 355. 

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Maryland. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during April 2025. Average rental data from Rent.com April 2025. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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