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Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Cost of living in Towson, Maryland

Baltimore County, MD

Part of the Baltimore Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,945/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 849,586 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,604 41%
Federal tax $696 18%
Healthcare $480 12%
Groceries $382 10%
Transport $320 8%
Energy $204 5%
State tax $204 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Towson

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,407
per month
1 bedroom
$1,604
per month
2 bedroom
$1,965
per month
3 bedroom
$2,529
per month
4 bedroom
$2,826
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Towson

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$90,904
per year
Individual earnings
$52,595
per year
Per capita
$48,196
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Towson

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$330,000
Annual property tax
$3,645

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Towson

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$150
per month · 16.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$54
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Towson

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Towson

State and local tax rates for Maryland.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Towson

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
28.3 min
Drive alone
71.4%
Public transit
3.0%
Work from home
14.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Towson

What it costs to live in Towson each month.

Single person
$3,945
per month
  • Rent $1,604
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $382
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $696
  • State tax $204
Couple
$5,705
per month
  • Rent $1,965
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $633
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,158
  • State tax $355
Family
$8,453
per month
  • Rent $2,529
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $960
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,158
  • State tax $355

Frequently asked questions about Towson

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Towson?

In Towson, Maryland, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,604 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,965 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,529 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Towson?

In Towson, Maryland, the average household income is $90,904 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $52,595 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Towson?

The estimated cost of living in Towson, Maryland is approximately $3,945 per month for a single person, $5,705 for a couple, $8,453 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Towson?

The combined sales tax rate in Towson, Maryland is 6.00%, which includes the Maryland state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Towson an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Towson, Maryland would need approximately $3,945 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $90,904 per year ($7,575 per month). Towson has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Towson?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Towson, Maryland is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Towson?

The average home value in Towson, Maryland is $330,000, with average annual property taxes of $3,645, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Towson compare to other areas?

You can compare Towson, Maryland with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Towson is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area.

Other counties in Maryland

Browse the full list of counties in Maryland, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Maryland

Compare Towson with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources