D+
22%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
57%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index New Carrollton Maryland National
Cost of living122121100
Groceries106105100
Health care106109100
Housing157151100
Transportation110109100
Utilities105108100
Lifestyle & Entertainment106109100
Household Items106105100
Education & Childcare111112100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in New Carrollton, MD

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in New Carrollton? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in New Carrollton stands at 122, making it 22% 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.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in New Carrollton is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, New Carrollton falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the New Carrollton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 56.6% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is New Carrollton Affordable?

Wondering if New Carrollton is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In New Carrollton, for example, the median home price is 56.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 57.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with New Carrollton boasting a median household income of $103,662, which is 27.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in New Carrollton?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In New Carrollton, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6%, and income tax rates start at 2%.

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 New Carrollton, the utilities index registers at 4.9% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In New Carrollton, the groceries index registers 5.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The New Carrollton cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in New Carrollton is 1% higher than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in New Carrollton is 22% higher than the national average
  • New Carrollton housing is 57% higher than the national average
  • Maryland general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Maryland state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around New Carrollton

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Compare New Carrollton, MD Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$142,043$11,837$3,314$4,262
      Renters$84,505$7,042$1,972$2,535
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in New Carrollton, MD, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In New Carrollton, homeowners have a median income of $142,043. Using that number, a maximum of $3,314 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $84,505, which means there is a maximum of $1,972 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Maryland Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Maryland 6% 6%

      Maryland Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Maryland 2% 5.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA7318911.0%
      Belle Haven town, VA578991.4%
      Cottage City, MD1,1931055.5%
      Silver Hill, MD5,34613231.6%
      Seat Pleasant, MD4,92913232.1%
      New Carrollton, MD13,26812221.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Finneytown, OH13,269918.9%
      Lynnfield, MA13,27217776.9%
      Rantoul, IL13,2638712.7%
      Colchester, Subd. C, NS13,273n/a 
      Miller Place, NY13,26214040.2%
      New Carrollton, MD13,26812221.9%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.