What is the cost of living in Potomac, MD?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Potomac has an overall cost of living index of 199, which is 2.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Maryland, Potomac has a cost of living index that's 1.6x higher than Maryland's index of 121.
The standard of living in Potomac ranks as #191 most affordable out of the 195 places we measured in Maryland. By definition, that implies Potomac ranks as the #4 most expensive place in the Old Line State.
For more reading on life in Potomac, check out:
Potomac Cost Of Living Vs. Maryland
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Potomac. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Potomac is 106.
The Groceries index in Potomac is 109.
The Health index in Potomac is 410.
The Housing index in Potomac is 109.
The Transportation index in Potomac is 105.
The Utilities index in Potomac is 105.
| Living Expense | Potomac | Maryland | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 199 | 121 | 100 |
| Services | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 107 | 100 |
| Health | 410 | 152 | 100 |
| Housing | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 109 | 100 |
Potomac 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 Potomac Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Potomac, 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 Potomac is $1,390,212.
The Median Rent in Potomac is $2,887.
The Median Income in Potomac is $236,675.
The Home Value To Income in Potomac is 5.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Potomac is 0.15x.
Potomac, MD Costs By Category
Detailed Potomac Services costs vs. Maryland
Detailed Potomac Groceries costs vs. Maryland
Detailed Potomac Health costs vs. Maryland
Detailed Potomac Transportation costs vs. Maryland
Potomac SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Potomac
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Potomac. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Bethesda, MD has a cost of living index of 204, 1.0x Potomac.
Rockville, MD has a cost of living index of 157, 0.8x Potomac.
North Bethesda, MD has a cost of living index of 163, 0.8x Potomac.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Potomac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | 69,397 | 204 | 1.0x |
| Rockville, MD | 67,671 | 157 | 0.8x |
| North Bethesda, MD | 49,677 | 163 | 0.8x |
| McLean, VA | 49,627 | 230 | 1.2x |
| Olney, MD | 35,797 | 153 | 0.8x |
| Clarksburg, MD | 30,487 | 156 | 0.8x |
| North Potomac, MD | 23,922 | 176 | 0.9x |
| Great Falls, VA | 15,228 | 229 | 1.2x |
| Colesville, MD | 14,519 | 145 | 0.7x |
| Kemp Mill, MD | 13,042 | 147 | 0.7x |
