Maryland · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Harford County, MD

Prices around Harford County, MD run 4.5% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $112,265 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,857 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $74,280 a year.

Harford County, MD at a glance

Median household income

$112,265$9,355 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,857HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)104.5+4.5% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity21.8¢per kWh · EIA Residential MD
Population263,757Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Harford 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$1,857Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$74,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,807At 30% of $112,265
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Harford County, MD, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,362$16,344$54,48014.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,511$18,132$60,44016.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,857$22,284$74,28019.8%
3-Bedroom Home$2,358$28,296$94,32025.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,611$31,332$104,44027.9%

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

What a typical income covers in Harford County, MD

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $112,265 a year ($9,355 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,678/moRent ($1,857 2-BR), utilities (~$197/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,807/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,871/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $112,265 leaves after Maryland taxes

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

$112,265
$40,000$225,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$112,265
Net 74%
Fed 14%
MD 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$82,745After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,895Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,183Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$15,868 / yr
Maryland state income tax$5,063 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$8,588 / yr

Living in Harford County, MD: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Harford County, MD is $112,265 per year (approximately $9,355 per month).

What is the average rent in Harford County, MD?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,362 for a studio, $1,511 for one bedroom, $1,857 for two, $2,358 for three and $2,611 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 Harford County, MD expensive to live in?

Prices there run 4.5% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 104.5, 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 Harford County, MD?

To keep a $1,857 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $74,280 a year, or $6,190 a month. That is 66% of what the typical household in Harford County, MD earns.

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

On the local median income of $112,265 ($9,355 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,678 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,807 for everything else and $1,871 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,857 takes 40% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Harford 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.