Cost of Living in Mount Rainier, MD

Population 8,235 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

146

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mount Rainier 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.

Geographically, Mount Rainier is part of the immediate Washington metro area. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 171

Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Rainier

The median home value in Mount Rainier is $522,100 — 71% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,434/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $68,281/year is 8% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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, Mount Rainier has a cost of living index of 146 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% more expensive.

📍

Mount Rainier has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Hyattsville, MD

Median home: $463,500

Rent: $1,831/mo

Income: $94,231

Chillum, MD

Median home: $383,900

Rent: $1,733/mo

Income: $78,513

East Riverdale, MD

Median home: $346,700

Rent: $1,649/mo

Income: $82,401

Takoma Park, MD

Median home: $721,500

Rent: $1,388/mo

Income: $97,872

Langley Park, MD

Median home: $348,700

Rent: $1,675/mo

Income: $82,038

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$522,100

71% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$440,919

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,434/mo

9% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,164/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

30.3x

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 24.3%

Renter-occupied 75.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,434

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,048/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

33.8 min

25% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

16.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

55.7%

Carpooled

4.6%

Public transit

18.4%

Walked

2.2%

Bicycle

0.6%

Work from home

16.8%

⚡ 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

$68,281

8% below avg

Per Capita Income

$37,972

Unemployment Rate

5.1%

5% above avg

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Labor Force Participation

77.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.1%

Graduate degree 15.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40

Male median age 40.7

Female median age 36.7

💨 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 Mount Rainier, MD?

Mount Rainier has a cost index of 146 (100 = national average). It is 46% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Rainier, MD?

The median gross rent in Mount Rainier is $1,434 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Rainier?

The median home value in Mount Rainier is $522,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Rainier?

The median household income in Mount Rainier is $68,281 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Rainier, MD?

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

Is Mount Rainier, MD affordable?

Mount Rainier is above average in cost of living, with an index of 146 — about 46% higher than the national average.

Mount Rainier at a Glance

Population: 8,235
Median Income: $68,281
Home Value: $522,100
Median Rent: $1,434/mo
Unemployment: 5.1%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

View all cities in Maryland →

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