Cost of Living in Sykesville, MD

Population 4,346 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

130
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sykesville 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. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Sykesville sits roughly 13 miles northwest of Columbia. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 131
Rent 130

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

About the Cost of Living in Sykesville

The median home value in Sykesville is $398,600 — 31% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,703/month, 30% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $135,692/year is 82% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, 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, Sykesville has a cost of living index of 130 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$398,600
31% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$549,072
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,703/mo
30% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,980/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5x
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 70.5%
Renter-occupied 29.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,703
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,317/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
36.6 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.3%
Carpooled
5.9%
Work from home
7.9%

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
$135,692
82% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,212
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor Force Participation
75.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.6%
Graduate degree 19.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.9
Male median age 34.1
Female median age 35.1

💨 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 Sykesville, MD?

Sykesville has a cost index of 130 (100 = national average). It is 30% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sykesville, MD?

The median gross rent in Sykesville is $1,703 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sykesville?

The median home value in Sykesville is $398,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sykesville?

The median household income in Sykesville is $135,692 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sykesville, MD?

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

Is Sykesville, MD affordable?

Sykesville is above average in cost of living, with an index of 130 — about 30% higher than the national average.

Sykesville at a Glance

Population
4,346
Median Income
$135,692
Home Value
$398,600
Median Rent
$1,703/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs