What is the cost of living in Germantown, MD?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Germantown has an overall cost of living index of 135, which is 1.4x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Maryland, Germantown has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Maryland's index of 121.
The standard of living in Germantown ranks as #130 most affordable out of the 195 places we measured in Maryland. By definition, that implies Germantown ranks as the #65 most expensive place in the Old Line State.
For more reading on life in Germantown, check out:
Germantown Cost Of Living Vs. Maryland
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Germantown. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Germantown is 107.
The Groceries index in Germantown is 105.
The Health index in Germantown is 194.
The Housing index in Germantown is 113.
The Transportation index in Germantown is 110.
The Utilities index in Germantown is 115.
| Living Expense | Germantown | Maryland | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 135 | 121 | 100 |
| Services | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health | 194 | 152 | 100 |
| Housing | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 108 | 100 |
| Utilities | 115 | 109 | 100 |
Germantown Cost Of Living Compared To Maryland Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Maryland, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Germantown Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Germantown, MD Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Maryland, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Germantown is $423,001.
The Median Rent in Germantown is $2,040.
The Median Income in Germantown is $117,546.
The Home Value To Income in Germantown is 3.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Germantown is 0.21x.
| Statistic | Germantown | Maryland | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $423,001 | $429,704 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $2,040 | $1,705 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $117,546 | $103,678 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.6x | 4.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.21x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Germantown, MD Costs By Category
Detailed Germantown Services costs vs. Maryland
| Item | Germantown | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.51 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $15.69 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $24.83 | $18 |
| Haircut | $26.11 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $70.08 | $45.56 |
Detailed Germantown Groceries costs vs. Maryland
| Item | Germantown | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.24 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.4 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.78 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.49 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.56 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $11.1 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.81 | $3.7 |
Detailed Germantown Health costs vs. Maryland
| Item | Germantown | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $92.0 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $135.03 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $117.67 | $113.29 |
Detailed Germantown Transportation costs vs. Maryland
| Item | Germantown | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.25 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $59.0 | $59.92 |
Detailed Germantown Utilities costs vs. Maryland
| Item | Germantown | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $222.47 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $197.37 | $192.25 |
Germantown SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Germantown
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Germantown. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost of living index of 141, 1.0x Germantown.
Olney, MD has a cost of living index of 153, 1.1x Germantown.
Clarksburg, MD has a cost of living index of 156, 1.2x Germantown.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Germantown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaithersburg, MD | 69,825 | 141 | 1.0x |
| Olney, MD | 35,797 | 153 | 1.1x |
| Clarksburg, MD | 30,487 | 156 | 1.2x |
| North Potomac, MD | 23,922 | 176 | 1.3x |
| Redland, MD | 18,665 | 141 | 1.0x |
| Colesville, MD | 14,519 | 145 | 1.1x |
| Kemp Mill, MD | 13,042 | 147 | 1.1x |
| Travilah, MD | 11,721 | 225 | 1.7x |
| Four Corners, MD | 8,150 | 154 | 1.1x |
| South Kensington, MD | 8,148 | 192 | 1.4x |
