Cost of Living in Chesapeake Beach, MD

Population 6,428 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

132

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

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

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

Under 25,000 residents gives Chesapeake Beach a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $438,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 30 miles southeast of Washington, Chesapeake Beach falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 144

Rent 113

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

About the Cost of Living in Chesapeake Beach

The median home value in Chesapeake Beach is $438,300 — 44% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,490/month, 13% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $135,888/year is 82% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, 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, Chesapeake Beach has a cost of living index of 132 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% more expensive.

📍

Chesapeake Beach 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:

Marlton, MD

Median home: $398,900

Rent: $1,857/mo

Income: $119,486

Brock Hall, MD

Median home: $605,700

Rent: $3,138/mo

Income: $190,896

Rosaryville, MD

Median home: $457,600

Rent: $2,542/mo

Income: $148,558

Annapolis Neck, MD

Median home: $723,100

Rent: $2,805/mo

Income: $171,833

Brandywine, MD

Median home: $543,000

Income: $158,258

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$438,300

44% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$451,746

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,490/mo

13% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

24.5x

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 82.2%

Renter-occupied 17.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,490

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,104/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

46.6 min

73% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

18.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

71.1%

Carpooled

5.9%

Public transit

1.7%

Walked

1.6%

Bicycle

0.5%

Work from home

18.8%

⚡ 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

$135,888

82% above avg

Per Capita Income

$58,705

Unemployment Rate

1.6%

67% below avg

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Labor Force Participation

67.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.5%

Graduate degree 25.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.5

Male median age 42.3

Female median age 42.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good

86.6%

Good air days/yr

101

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

238

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

Chesapeake Beach has a cost index of 132 (100 = national average). It is 32% above the national average.

What is average rent in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The median gross rent in Chesapeake Beach is $1,490 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Chesapeake Beach?

The median home value in Chesapeake Beach is $438,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Chesapeake Beach?

The median household income in Chesapeake Beach is $135,888 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Chesapeake Beach, MD?

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

Is Chesapeake Beach, MD affordable?

Chesapeake Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 132 — about 32% higher than the national average.

Chesapeake Beach at a Glance

Population: 6,428
Median Income: $135,888
Home Value: $438,300
Median Rent: $1,490/mo
Unemployment: 1.6%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

View all cities in Maryland →

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