Cost of Living in Marlow Heights, MD

Population 6,144 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

122
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Marlow Heights is a smaller Maryland community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $58,268 and housing costs ($367,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 24% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 7 miles southeast of Washington, Marlow Heights falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 125

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

About the Cost of Living in Marlow Heights

The median home value in Marlow Heights is $366,700 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,638/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,268/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 13.5%, 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, Marlow Heights has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$366,700
20% above avg
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
25% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
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 45.0%
Renter-occupied 55.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,638
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,252/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
44.8 min
66% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.4%
Carpooled
8.1%
Public transit
21.9%
Work from home
5.4%

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
$58,268
22% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,980
Unemployment Rate
13.5%
180% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Labor Force Participation
64.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 10.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 31.7
Female median age 47.3

💨 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 Marlow Heights, MD?

Marlow Heights has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Marlow Heights, MD?

The median gross rent in Marlow Heights is $1,638 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Marlow Heights?

The median home value in Marlow Heights is $366,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Marlow Heights?

The median household income in Marlow Heights is $58,268 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Marlow Heights, MD?

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

Is Marlow Heights, MD affordable?

Marlow Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

Marlow Heights at a Glance

Population
6,144
Median Income
$58,268
Home Value
$366,700
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
Unemployment
13.5%
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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