Cost of Living in Darnestown, MD

Population 6,835 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

285

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

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

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

Home prices in Darnestown run well above the national baseline, with a median of $908,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $217,679 place the city among the better-paid Maryland metros.

Geographically, Darnestown sits roughly 20 miles northwest of Arlington. Housing prices track closely with Arlington's $865,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 298

Rent 266

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

About the Cost of Living in Darnestown

The median home value in Darnestown is $908,400 — 198% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,501/month, 166% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $217,679/year is 192% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, Darnestown has a cost of living index of 285 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 185% more expensive.

📍

Darnestown 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:

Travilah, MD

Median home: $1,225,300

Rent: $3,385/mo

Income: $250,001

North Potomac, MD

Median home: $793,200

Rent: $2,433/mo

Income: $186,438

Germantown, MD

Median home: $401,400

Rent: $1,978/mo

Income: $112,149

Gaithersburg, MD

Median home: $484,500

Rent: $2,008/mo

Income: $107,496

Potomac, MD

Median home: $1,105,900

Rent: $2,616/mo

Income: $239,205

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$908,400

198% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$209,534

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

166% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

21.6x

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 94.4%

Renter-occupied 5.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$3,501

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $4,115/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

43.6 min

61% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

30.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

56.5%

Carpooled

5.1%

Public transit

4.2%

Walked

0.4%

Work from home

30.8%

⚡ 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

$217,679

192% above avg

Per Capita Income

$99,655

Unemployment Rate

3.5%

28% below avg

Poverty Rate

0.9%

Labor Force Participation

69.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 36.1%

Graduate degree 35.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.6

Male median age 47.3

Female median age 45.4

💨 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 Darnestown, MD?

Darnestown has a cost index of 285 (100 = national average). It is 185% above the national average.

What is average rent in Darnestown, MD?

The median gross rent in Darnestown is $3,501 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Darnestown?

The median home value in Darnestown is $908,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Darnestown?

The median household income in Darnestown is $217,679 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Darnestown, MD?

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

Is Darnestown, MD affordable?

Darnestown is above average in cost of living, with an index of 285 — about 185% higher than the national average.

Darnestown at a Glance

Population: 6,835
Median Income: $217,679
Home Value: $908,400
Median Rent: $3,501/mo
Unemployment: 3.5%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

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