Cost of Living in Mount Airy, MD

Population 9,746 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

152
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Mount Airy a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $475,000. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 20 miles northwest of Columbia, Mount Airy falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Columbia's $480,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 156
Rent 148

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Airy

The median home value in Mount Airy is $474,800 — 56% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,939/month, 48% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $154,514/year is 107% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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, Mount Airy has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$474,800
56% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$626,550
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,939/mo
48% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.4x
Favors renting
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 93.3%
Renter-occupied 6.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,939
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,553/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
37.6 min
39% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.9%
Carpooled
7.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
1.2%
Work from home
16.7%

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
$154,514
107% above avg
Per Capita Income
$57,775
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Labor Force Participation
76.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.3%
Graduate degree 21.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 37
Female median age 39.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
75%
Good air days/yr
143
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Airy, MD?

Mount Airy has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Airy, MD?

The median gross rent in Mount Airy is $1,939 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Airy?

The median home value in Mount Airy is $474,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Airy?

The median household income in Mount Airy is $154,514 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Airy, MD?

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

Is Mount Airy, MD affordable?

Mount Airy is above average in cost of living, with an index of 152 — about 52% higher than the national average.

Mount Airy at a Glance

Population
9,746
Median Income
$154,514
Home Value
$474,800
Median Rent
$1,939/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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