Cost of Living in Frostburg, MD

Population 7,025 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

60
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Frostburg is a smaller Maryland community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $51,052 and housing costs ($173,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 28% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Frostburg is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Frostburg

The median home value in Frostburg is $172,600 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $865/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,052/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.8%, 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, Frostburg has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$172,600
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$173,166
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$865/mo
34% below avg
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 50.4%
Renter-occupied 49.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$865
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,479/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
20.5 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.3%
Carpooled
3.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
9.1%
Work from home
10.7%

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
$51,052
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,978
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
42% above avg
Poverty Rate
27.8%
Labor Force Participation
48.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.2%
Graduate degree 20.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 25.6
Male median age 25.3
Female median age 26.4

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Frostburg, MD?

Frostburg has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in Frostburg, MD?

The median gross rent in Frostburg is $865 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Frostburg?

The median home value in Frostburg is $172,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Frostburg?

The median household income in Frostburg is $51,052 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Frostburg, MD?

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

Is Frostburg, MD affordable?

Yes, Frostburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.

Frostburg at a Glance

Population
7,025
Median Income
$51,052
Home Value
$172,600
Median Rent
$865/mo
Unemployment
6.8%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs