| Index | Annapolis | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 137 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 203 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 112 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Annapolis allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Annapolis stands at 137, marking it 37% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Annapolis may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Annapolis falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Annapolis, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 103.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Annapolis affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Annapolis, for instance, where the median home price falls 123.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 56.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Annapolis flaunting a median household income of $132,521, 62.9% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Annapolis, the groceries index is 4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Annapolis, the transportation index is 9.8% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Annapolis, the utilities index registers at 8.8% higher than the national average.
The Annapolis cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $180,767 | $15,064 | $4,218 | $5,424 |
| Renters | $78,488 | $6,541 | $1,831 | $2,355 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rock Hall, MD | 1,594 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Ferndale, MD | 18,230 | 119 | 19.2% |
| Glen Burnie, MD | 71,246 | 119 | 19.4% |
| Upper Marlboro, MD | 601 | 118 | 18.2% |
| Riviera Beach, MD | 13,245 | 123 | 23.2% |
| Annapolis, MD | 40,873 | 137 | 36.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Los Banos, CA | 40,884 | 128 | 27.6% |
| Columbia, TN | 40,814 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Hagerstown, MD | 40,940 | 101 | 1.3% |
| Keizer, OR | 40,787 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Friendswood, TX | 40,785 | 116 | 16.3% |
| Annapolis, MD | 40,873 | 137 | 36.6% |