Cost of Living in Essex, MD: Rent, Income & Home Prices

OKRent takes 23 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,38221% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$72,441about $6,037/month · 17% lower than U.S. average

🔑 House price$258,90022% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,280 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Maryland cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Maryland. It is number 16 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Essex

$1,382

$2,291

$1,974

$1,788

$3,187

$1,964

$1,327

How much do households earn in Essex?

Under $25k

14.5%

$25k–50k

25.0%

$50k–100k

32.6%

$100k–150k

15.1%

$150k+

7.7%

Share of households by yearly income. 22.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Essex

Size	Essex	U.S. average
Studio	$988	$1,338
1 bedroom	$1,153	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$1,410	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$1,929	$1,698
4 bedrooms	$2,637	$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Essex overall?

Everyday prices in Maryland overall are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.0, U.S. = 100).

Housing

121

Goods (food, clothes…)

103

Utilities

111

Other services

102

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Essex, so the Maryland figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Essex

🏛️ Property tax$3,007a year · 1.16% of home value · U.S. $3,119

⚡ Electric bill$178a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Essex

Commute to work29.4 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree19.9%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home61.3%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line12.6%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment6.2%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Essex?

Renting is cheaper right now: about $414 a month less.

Renting

$1,382

Owning

$1,796

Owning assumes a typical $258,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,890 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Essex, MD?

Renting in Essex costs a median of about $1,382 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.

How much do I need to make to live in Essex?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,280 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Essex cheap or expensive?

Essex is rated OK: rent takes 22.9% of the typical household income of $72,441. It ranks 16th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Essex?

The median homeowner in Essex pays $3,007 a year in property taxes, about 1.16% of the median home value.

Is Essex more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in Maryland are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Essex?

The median home value in Essex is $258,900, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.

40,580 people live in Essex. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is Essex, MD expensive to live in?