Cost of Living in Chestertown, MD

Population 5,548 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

99
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $47,047, median household incomes in Chestertown land roughly 37% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators.

Chestertown is about 30 miles east of Baltimore, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 52% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 109
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Chestertown

The median home value in Chestertown is $333,900 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,090/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,047/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 64.6°F and lows of 45.8°F. Overall, Chestertown has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$333,900
9% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$381,377
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,090/mo
17% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.5x
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 48.1%
Renter-occupied 51.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,090
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,704/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
23.1 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
57.1%
Carpooled
7.1%
Walked
22.6%
Work from home
11.1%

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
$47,047
37% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,565
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
16% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor Force Participation
49.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.3%
Graduate degree 23.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.3
Male median age 27.8
Female median age 38.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.6°F
Avg Low
45.8°F
Annual Precip
47.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424453657382868478675646
Low °F 252733435362686659473730
Precip" 3.262.784.103.493.984.284.844.214.844.173.273.89

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
76.5%
Good air days/yr
199
Max AQI recorded
168
PM2.5 days
193
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chestertown, MD?

Chestertown has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.

What is average rent in Chestertown, MD?

The median gross rent in Chestertown is $1,090 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Chestertown?

The median home value in Chestertown is $333,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Chestertown?

The median household income in Chestertown is $47,047 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Chestertown, MD?

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

Is Chestertown, MD affordable?

Chestertown is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Chestertown?

Chestertown has average high temperatures of 64.6°F and average lows of 45.8°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Chestertown at a Glance

Population
5,548
Median Income
$47,047
Home Value
$333,900
Median Rent
$1,090/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
64.6°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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