6 Most Affordable Places to Live in Maryland in 2024

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.

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#1: Baltimore

Median home price: $217,000
Average sale price per square foot: $167
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,349
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.

#2: Dundalk

Median home price: $233,500
Average sale price per square foot: $187
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,087
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: Glen Burnie

Median home price: $389,900
Average sale price per square foot: $254
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,522
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 Bel Air South 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. 

#4: Germantown

Median home price: $395,000
Average sale price per square foot: $266
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,733
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. 

#5: Bel Air South

Median home price: $407,460
Average sale price per square foot: $202
Median household income: $100,824
Nearest major metro: Baltimore (30 miles)
Bel Air South, MD homes for sale
Bel Air South, MD apartments for rent

Next is the city of Bel Air South, which has about 57,600 residents. The median home sale price is $407,460 which is about $40K less than the median home sale price in Maryland. If you find yourself moving to the fifth most affordable place, make sure to visit Harford Glen Park or Winters Run Conservation Area, or check out the nearby Liriodendron Mansion.

#6: Waldorf

Median home price: $408,000
Average sale price per square foot: $215
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,950
Median household income: $55,489
Nearest major metro: Alexandria, VA (22 miles)
Waldorf, MD homes for sale
Waldorf, MD apartments for rent

The final area on our list of affordable places to live in Maryland is Waldorf. With 81,400 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life without living in a major metropolitan area. Living in Waldorf, you can explore the trails in the nearby Cedarville State Forest or grab a meal at a local restaurant.

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 July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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