Cost of Living in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD

Population 6,364 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Fountainhead-Orchard Hills a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $322,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 55 miles northwest of Columbia, Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 106
Rent 116

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

About the Cost of Living in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills

The median home value in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is $321,900 — 6% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,518/month, 16% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,743/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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 64.4°F and lows of 46.4°F. Overall, Fountainhead-Orchard Hills has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$321,900
6% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$139,616
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,518/mo
16% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7x
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 84.3%
Renter-occupied 15.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,518
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,132/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
30.2 min
12% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.6%
Carpooled
11.1%
Walked
2.4%
Work from home
10.9%

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
$97,743
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,746
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 16.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.4
Male median age 44.7
Female median age 43.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
46.4°F
Annual Precip
35.6"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414453657483878578665444
Low °F 252734445564686659473730
Precip" 2.461.973.043.333.553.362.942.903.832.762.632.83

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
75.2%
Good air days/yr
172
Max AQI recorded
170
PM2.5 days
185
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD?

Fountainhead-Orchard Hills has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD?

The median gross rent in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is $1,518 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills?

The median home value in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is $321,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills?

The median household income in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is $97,743 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD affordable?

Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills?

Fountainhead-Orchard Hills has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 46.4°F. Annual precipitation is 35.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fountainhead-Orchard Hills at a Glance

Population
6,364
Median Income
$97,743
Home Value
$321,900
Median Rent
$1,518/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
64.4°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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