Cost of Living in Rockville, MD

Population 67,218 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

198
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Rockville run well above the national baseline, with a median of $658,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $122,384 place the city among the better-paid Maryland metros.

Rockville sits roughly 14 miles northwest of Washington — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 216
Rent 171

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

About the Cost of Living in Rockville

The median home value in Rockville is $658,300 — 116% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,244/month, 71% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $122,384/year is 64% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, 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, Rockville has a cost of living index of 198 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 98% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$658,300
116% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$609,205
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,244/mo
71% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,285/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4x
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 53.1%
Renter-occupied 46.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,244
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,858/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
33.9 min
26% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
30.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
47.2%
Carpooled
6.2%
Public transit
12.4%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
30.2%

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
$122,384
64% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,636
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
23% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor Force Participation
68.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.8%
Graduate degree 37.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 37.8
Female median age 40.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
81.5%
Good air days/yr
165
Max AQI recorded
162
PM2.5 days
195
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

89%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
209
Public schools
165,267
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rockville, MD?

Rockville has a cost index of 198 (100 = national average). It is 98% above the national average.

What is average rent in Rockville, MD?

The median gross rent in Rockville is $2,244 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rockville?

The median home value in Rockville is $658,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rockville?

The median household income in Rockville is $122,384 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rockville, MD?

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

Is Rockville, MD affordable?

Rockville is above average in cost of living, with an index of 198 — about 98% higher than the national average.

Rockville at a Glance

Population
67,218
Median Income
$122,384
Home Value
$658,300
Median Rent
$2,244/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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