Cost of Living in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD

Population 5,418 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

203

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Ashton-Sandy Spring sits 166% above the national median — $812,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $178,214 (139% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros. An unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Ashton-Sandy Spring sits roughly 8 miles west of Columbia. Median home values run roughly 69% higher than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 266

Rent 108

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ashton-Sandy Spring

The median home value in Ashton-Sandy Spring is $812,000 — 166% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,415/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $178,214/year is 139% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Ashton-Sandy Spring has a cost of living index of 203 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 103% more expensive.

📍

Ashton-Sandy Spring has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Cloverly, MD

Median home: $652,200

Rent: $2,031/mo

Income: $146,316

Burtonsville, MD

Median home: $481,800

Rent: $2,222/mo

Income: $130,000

Olney, MD

Median home: $632,400

Rent: $2,409/mo

Income: $171,766

Colesville, MD

Median home: $593,900

Rent: $1,906/mo

Income: $131,022

Fairland, MD

Median home: $440,800

Rent: $1,851/mo

Income: $87,924

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$812,000

166% above avg

Median Rent

$1,415/mo

8% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

47.8x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

1.1%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$1,407

1 BR

$1,604

2 BR

$1,898

3 BR

$2,407

4 BR

$2,822

Owner-occupied 94.5%

Renter-occupied 5.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,415

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,029/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

39.7 min

47% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

34.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

58.4%

Carpooled

2.1%

Public transit

4.8%

Bicycle

0.4%

Work from home

34.3%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%

Total Sales Tax 6.0%

State rate 6.0%

Avg local rate 0.0%

Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$178,214

139% above avg

Per Capita Income

$80,053

Unemployment Rate

2.6%

46% below avg

Poverty Rate

1.7%

Labor Force Participation

62.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.5%

Graduate degree 38.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 49.2

Male median age 48.6

Female median age 50.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good

81.5%

Good air days/yr

165

Max AQI recorded

162

PM2.5 days

195

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?

Ashton-Sandy Spring has a cost index of 203 (100 = national average). It is 103% above the national average.

What is average rent in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?

The median gross rent in Ashton-Sandy Spring is $1,415 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ashton-Sandy Spring?

The median home value in Ashton-Sandy Spring is $812,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Ashton-Sandy Spring?

The median household income in Ashton-Sandy Spring is $178,214 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ashton-Sandy Spring is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD affordable?

Ashton-Sandy Spring is above average in cost of living, with an index of 203 — about 103% higher than the national average.

Ashton-Sandy Spring at a Glance

Population: 5,418
Median Income: $178,214
Home Value: $812,000
Median Rent: $1,415/mo
Unemployment: 2.6%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

View all cities in Maryland →

Nearby Cities

🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

Maryland Rankings

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs