Cost of Living in Kettering, MD

Population 13,866 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

151
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Kettering 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 — 7.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Kettering sits roughly 12 miles east of Washington. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 137
Rent 174

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

About the Cost of Living in Kettering

The median home value in Kettering is $416,500 — 37% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,285/month, 74% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $124,036/year is 66% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.0%, 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, Kettering has a cost of living index of 151 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$416,500
37% above avg
Median Rent
$2,285/mo
74% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.2x
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 88.4%
Renter-occupied 11.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,285
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,899/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
40.1 min
49% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.3%
Carpooled
15.5%
Public transit
6.2%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
13.8%

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
$124,036
66% above avg
Per Capita Income
$61,162
Unemployment Rate
7.0%
45% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor Force Participation
65.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.7%
Graduate degree 21.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 49.3
Male median age 42.1
Female median age 53.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
69.3%
Good air days/yr
192
Max AQI recorded
138
PM2.5 days
226
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kettering, MD?

Kettering has a cost index of 151 (100 = national average). It is 51% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kettering, MD?

The median gross rent in Kettering is $2,285 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kettering?

The median home value in Kettering is $416,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Kettering?

The median household income in Kettering is $124,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kettering, MD?

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

Is Kettering, MD affordable?

Kettering is above average in cost of living, with an index of 151 — about 51% higher than the national average.

Kettering at a Glance

Population
13,866
Median Income
$124,036
Home Value
$416,500
Median Rent
$2,285/mo
Unemployment
7.0%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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