Maryland · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Worcester County, MD

Prices around Worcester County, MD run 5% above the U.S. average (BEA, Maryland). The typical household there earns $81,745 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,194 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $47,760 a year.

Worcester County, MD at a glance

Median household income

$81,745$6,812 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,194HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)105.0+5% · BEA, Maryland
Electricity21.8¢per kWh · EIA Residential MD
Population53,700Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Worcester 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$1,194Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$47,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,044At 30% of $81,745
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Worcester County, MD, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,027$12,324$41,08015.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,035$12,420$41,40015.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,194$14,328$47,76017.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,661$19,932$66,44024.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,919$23,028$76,76028.2%

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

What a typical income covers in Worcester County, MD

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $81,745 a year ($6,812 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,406/moRent ($1,194 2-BR), utilities (~$197/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,044/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,362/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $81,745 leaves after Maryland taxes

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

$81,745
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,745
Net 77%
Fed 11%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,818After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,235Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,416Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,154 / yr
Maryland state income tax$3,519 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,253 / yr

Living in Worcester County, MD: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Worcester County, MD is $81,745 per year (approximately $6,812 per month).

What is the average rent in Worcester County, MD?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,027 for a studio, $1,035 for one bedroom, $1,194 for two, $1,661 for three and $1,919 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 Worcester 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 Worcester County, MD?

To keep a $1,194 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $47,760 a year, or $3,980 a month. That is 58% of what the typical household in Worcester County, MD earns.

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

On the local median income of $81,745 ($6,812 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,406 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,044 for everything else and $1,362 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,194 takes 35% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Worcester 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.