Cost of Living in La Plata, MD
Population 10,470 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
La Plata 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.
La Plata sits roughly 20 miles south of Alexandria — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 42% lower than Alexandria's $697,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in La Plata
The median home value in La Plata is $405,200 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,483/month, 13% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,707/year is 63% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, 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, La Plata has a cost of living index of 125 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in La Plata, MD?
La Plata has a cost index of 125 (100 = national average). It is 25% above the national average.
What is average rent in La Plata, MD?
The median gross rent in La Plata is $1,483 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in La Plata?
The median home value in La Plata is $405,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in La Plata?
The median household income in La Plata is $121,707 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in La Plata, MD?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in La Plata is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is La Plata, MD affordable?
La Plata is above average in cost of living, with an index of 125 — about 25% higher than the national average.
La Plata at a Glance
- Population
- 10,470
- Median Income
- $121,707
- Home Value
- $405,200
- Median Rent
- $1,483/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.2%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Maryland Rankings
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