Cost of Living in Laurel, MD
Population 29,594 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
A 36-minute average commute puts Laurel squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $367,000 reflect that spatial discount.
Laurel sits roughly 7 miles south of Columbia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Columbia's $480,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Laurel
The median home value in Laurel is $367,300 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,878/month, 43% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,063/year is 26% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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, Laurel has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Laurel, MD?
Laurel has a cost index of 129 (100 = national average). It is 29% above the national average.
What is average rent in Laurel, MD?
The median gross rent in Laurel is $1,878 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Laurel?
The median home value in Laurel is $367,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Laurel?
The median household income in Laurel is $94,063 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Laurel, MD?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Laurel is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is Laurel, MD affordable?
Laurel is above average in cost of living, with an index of 129 — about 29% higher than the national average.
Laurel at a Glance
- Population
- 29,594
- Median Income
- $94,063
- Home Value
- $367,300
- Median Rent
- $1,878/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Maryland Rankings
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