Cost of Living in Elkton, MD

Population 15,867 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Elkton sits on the smaller end of the Maryland city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Elkton is about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Elkton

The median home value in Elkton is $271,700 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,368/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,565/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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, Elkton has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$271,700
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$362,553
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,368/mo
4% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,882/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6x
Favors buying
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 48.3%
Renter-occupied 51.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,368
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,982/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
27.1 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.6%
Carpooled
8.3%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
2.3%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$56,565
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,286
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
36% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.0%
Labor Force Participation
54.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.3%
Graduate degree 5.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.4
Male median age 36
Female median age 39.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
73.9%
Good air days/yr
190
Max AQI recorded
163
PM2.5 days
197
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
29
Public schools
15,256
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elkton, MD?

Elkton has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Elkton, MD?

The median gross rent in Elkton is $1,368 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elkton?

The median home value in Elkton is $271,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elkton?

The median household income in Elkton is $56,565 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elkton, MD?

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

Is Elkton, MD affordable?

Elkton is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).