salaryRent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.8 minutes each way. Most households rent (77%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,160 a year. That is $31 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 36 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mount Rainier?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mount Rainier
| Size | Mount Rainier | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,416 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,484 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,702 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,171 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mount Rainier overall?
Everyday prices in Maryland overall are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Mount Rainier, so the Maryland figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mount Rainier
Life in Mount Rainier
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mount Rainier?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,071 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $529,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $52,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mount Rainier, MD?
Renting in Mount Rainier costs a median of about $1,604 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Mount Rainier?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,160 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mount Rainier cheap or expensive?
Mount Rainier is rated OK: rent takes 26.1% of the typical household income of $73,883. It ranks 36th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mount Rainier?
The median homeowner in Mount Rainier pays $6,173 a year in property taxes, about 1.17% of the median home value.
Is Mount Rainier 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 Mount Rainier?
The median home value in Mount Rainier is $529,600, about 7.2 times the typical yearly household income.
8,245 people live in Mount Rainier. Numbers are typical (middle) values.