Cost of Living in St. James, MD
Population 4,581 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
St. James is a smaller Maryland community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $103,105 and housing costs ($391,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.
St. James is about 55 miles northwest of Columbia, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Columbia's $480,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in St. James
The median home value in St. James is $390,800 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,252/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,105/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.6%, 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, St. James has a cost of living index of 115 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 15% more expensive.
St. James 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:
🏠 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 St. James, MD?
St. James has a cost index of 115 (100 = national average). It is 15% above the national average.
What is average rent in St. James, MD?
The median gross rent in St. James is $1,252 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in St. James?
The median home value in St. James is $390,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in St. James?
The median household income in St. James is $103,105 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in St. James, MD?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. James is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is St. James, MD affordable?
St. James is above average in cost of living, with an index of 115 — about 15% higher than the national average.
St. James at a Glance
- Population
- 4,581
- Median Income
- $103,105
- Home Value
- $390,800
- Median Rent
- $1,252/mo
- Unemployment
- 0.6%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Maryland Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs