Cost of Living in Westminster, MD

Population 20,257 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

105
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Westminster is a smaller Maryland community of around 20000 residents, where median household incomes of $79,431 and housing costs ($318,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Westminster is about 25 miles north 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 34% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 104
Rent 107

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

About the Cost of Living in Westminster

The median home value in Westminster is $318,100 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,410/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,431/year is 7% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, Westminster has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$318,100
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$455,958
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,410/mo
7% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,722/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 55.5%
Renter-occupied 44.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,410
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,024/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
33.2 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.5%
Carpooled
8.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
3.0%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
13.8%

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
$79,431
7% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,490
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
28% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.2%
Graduate degree 13.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.1
Male median age 35.9
Female median age 41.4

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
44
Public schools
25,345
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Westminster, MD?

Westminster has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.

What is average rent in Westminster, MD?

The median gross rent in Westminster is $1,410 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Westminster?

The median home value in Westminster is $318,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Westminster?

The median household income in Westminster is $79,431 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Westminster, MD?

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

Is Westminster, MD affordable?

Westminster is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).

Westminster at a Glance

Population
20,257
Median Income
$79,431
Home Value
$318,100
Median Rent
$1,410/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Maryland →
🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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