| Index | Dundalk | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 116 | 112 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Dundalk? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Dundalk stands at 106, making it 6% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Dundalk are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Dundalk can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Dundalk an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Dundalk is 12.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 21.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Dundalk has a median household income of $82,204, which is 1.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Dundalk, the housing index is 2.4% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
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 Dundalk, the transportation index is 11.2% higher than the national average.
The Dundalk 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 | $98,204 | $8,184 | $2,291 | $2,946 |
| Renters | $60,623 | $5,052 | $1,414 | $1,819 |
| 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. |
| Lansdowne, MD | 8,964 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 108 | 7.9% |
| Rock Hall, MD | 1,594 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Edgewood, MD | 26,016 | 108 | 7.6% |
| Essex, MD | 40,724 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Dundalk, MD | 65,241 | 106 | 5.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Medicine Hat, AB | 65,247 | n/a | |
| Coon Rapids, MN | 65,205 | 106 | 5.7% |
| Brentwood, CA | 65,405 | 173 | 72.6% |
| Dublin, CA | 65,416 | 215 | 115.5% |
| Port Orange, FL | 65,435 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Dundalk, MD | 65,241 | 106 | 5.9% |
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