Cost of Living in Hagerstown, MD

Population 43,490 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Hagerstown lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $208,000 — 32% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Maryland. A poverty rate near 23% 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 55 miles northwest of Columbia, Hagerstown is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 57% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 68
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in Hagerstown

The median home value in Hagerstown is $207,700 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,041/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,957/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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, Hagerstown has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$207,700
32% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$296,552
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
21% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,409/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 43.4%
Renter-occupied 56.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,041
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,655/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
27.7 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.2%
Carpooled
12.7%
Public transit
1.4%
Walked
2.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
10.3%

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
$49,957
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,166
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
73% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Labor Force Participation
62.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.4%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 34.7
Female median age 38.1

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
44
Public schools
22,993
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hagerstown, MD?

Hagerstown has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Hagerstown, MD?

The median gross rent in Hagerstown is $1,041 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hagerstown?

The median home value in Hagerstown is $207,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hagerstown?

The median household income in Hagerstown is $49,957 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hagerstown, MD?

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

Is Hagerstown, MD affordable?

Yes, Hagerstown is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.