Cost of Living in Brandywine, MD

Population 10,989 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

178
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brandywine is a smaller Maryland community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $158,258 and housing costs ($543,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Brandywine sits roughly 14 miles southeast of Alexandria — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Alexandria's $697,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 178

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

About the Cost of Living in Brandywine

The median home value in Brandywine is $543,000 — 78% above the national median of $305,000. The median household income of $158,258/year is 112% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, above 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, Brandywine has a cost of living index of 178 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 78% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$543,000
78% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$500,949
Zillow ZHVI
Zillow Rent
$2,658/mo
Zillow ZORI
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 98.5%
Renter-occupied 1.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,658
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,272/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
43.5 min
61% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
26.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.9%
Carpooled
4.0%
Public transit
3.0%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
26.9%

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
$158,258
112% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,289
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
25% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor Force Participation
70.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.1%
Graduate degree 19.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.3
Male median age 43.2
Female median age 43.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
69.3%
Good air days/yr
192
Max AQI recorded
138
PM2.5 days
226
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brandywine, MD?

Brandywine has a cost index of 178 (100 = national average). It is 78% above the national average.

What is the average home price in Brandywine?

The median home value in Brandywine is $543,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brandywine?

The median household income in Brandywine is $158,258 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brandywine, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brandywine is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Brandywine, MD affordable?

Brandywine is above average in cost of living, with an index of 178 — about 78% higher than the national average.