Cost of Living in Fort Meade, MD

Population 10,477 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

181

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 Fort Meade a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. An unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Fort Meade sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Columbia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Columbia's typical home runs $480,000 for context.

Cost Overview

Rent 181

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

About the Cost of Living in Fort Meade

Median rent runs $2,380/month, 81% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,886/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, 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, Fort Meade has a cost of living index of 181 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 81% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Rent

$2,380/mo

81% above avg

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 0.8%

Renter-occupied 99.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$2,380

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,994/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

20.7 min

23% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

11.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

76.1%

Carpooled

2.7%

Public transit

2.6%

Walked

6.3%

Bicycle

0.3%

Work from home

11.7%

⚡ 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

$102,886

38% above avg

Per Capita Income

$38,144

Unemployment Rate

2.6%

47% below avg

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Labor Force Participation

76.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.4%

Graduate degree 17.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 27.2

Male median age 26.2

Female median age 27.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good

85.6%

Good air days/yr

150

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

244

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Meade, MD?

Fort Meade has a cost index of 181 (100 = national average). It is 81% above the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Meade, MD?

The median gross rent in Fort Meade is $2,380 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the median income in Fort Meade?

The median household income in Fort Meade is $102,886 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Meade, MD?

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

Is Fort Meade, MD affordable?

Fort Meade is above average in cost of living, with an index of 181 — about 81% higher than the national average.

Fort Meade at a Glance

Population: 10,477
Median Income: $102,886
Median Rent: $2,380/mo
Unemployment: 2.6%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

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🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data