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Cost of Living in St. Mary's County

Is it better to rent or buy in St. Mary's County? Explore median costs, utility estimates, and run the numbers on your own budget to see how far your income goes.

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Rent vs. Buy Affordability Calculator

Adjust the sliders to match your scenario. We recommend keeping total housing costs under 40% of your gross income.

$122,829
$1,751/mo

Median in area: $1,751

$413,478

Median in area: $413,478

$82,696

If you Rent

🔑
$1,974 /mo
Base Rent$1,751
Est. Utilities$223
% of Income19.3%
Pre-tax Residual$8,262

If you Buy

🏠
$2,918 /mo
P&I (6.969%)$2,194
Taxes & Ins$501
Est. Utilities$223
% of Income28.5%
Pre-tax Residual$7,318

Compare Nearby Areas

See how St. Mary's County stacks up against neighboring areas.

countyNorthumberland County, VA
$853/mo
countyDorchester County, MD
$1,051/mo
countyWestmoreland County, VA
$1,065/mo
countyCalvert County, MD
$1,834/mo
countyCharles County, MD
$1,901/mo

Cost of Living FAQs

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Mary's County?›

Based on median housing data, renting is currently more affordable on a monthly basis in St. Mary's County. The estimated all-in monthly cost for renting is $1,974, while owning a median-priced home with a 20% down payment is roughly $2,918 per month (a difference of $944).

How much do utilities cost in St. Mary's County?›

The average monthly utility cost (electricity and natural gas) for a typical home in St. Mary's County is approximately $223. This estimate uses local utility rate schedules combined with median energy consumption profiles.

What is a good salary to live comfortably in St. Mary's County?›

To comfortably afford the median rent and utilities in St. Mary's County without exceeding the recommended 30% housing-to-income threshold, a household should earn a gross salary of approximately $78,960 per year.