Maryland · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Caroline County, MD

Prices around Caroline County, MD run 5% above the U.S. average (BEA, Maryland). The typical household there earns $68,457 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,314 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $52,560 a year.

Caroline County, MD at a glance

Median household income

$68,457$5,705 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,314HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)105.0+5% · BEA, Maryland
Electricity21.8¢per kWh · EIA Residential MD
Population33,669Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Caroline County, MD?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,314Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,711At 30% of $68,457
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Caroline County, MD? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Caroline County, MD, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Caroline County, MD, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$995$11,940$39,80017.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,001$12,012$40,04017.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,314$15,768$52,56023%
3-Bedroom Home$1,642$19,704$65,68028.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,184$26,208$87,36038.3%

Rent in Caroline County, MD, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Caroline County, MD

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $68,457 a year ($5,705 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,852/moRent ($1,314 2-BR), utilities (~$197/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,711/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,141/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $68,457 leaves after Maryland taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Maryland tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$68,457
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,457
Net 79%
Fed 9%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,101After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,508Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,081Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,231 / yr
Maryland state income tax$2,888 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,237 / yr

Living in Caroline County, MD: common questions

What is the median household income in Caroline County, MD?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Caroline County, MD is $68,457 per year (approximately $5,705 per month).

What is the average rent in Caroline County, MD?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $995 for a studio, $1,001 for one bedroom, $1,314 for two, $1,642 for three and $2,184 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Caroline County, MD expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Maryland is 105.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Caroline County, MD?

To keep a $1,314 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $52,560 a year, or $4,380 a month. That is 77% of what the typical household in Caroline County, MD earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Caroline County, MD?

On the local median income of $68,457 ($5,705 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,852 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,711 for everything else and $1,141 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,314 takes 46% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Caroline County, MD?

Homes in Maryland paid 21.8¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $197. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.