salaryRent is higher than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 69.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,280 a year. That is $35 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 56 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Towson?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Towson
| Size | Towson | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,417 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,695 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,970 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,381 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,572 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Towson overall?
Everyday prices in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Towson
Life in Towson
What jobs pay in Towson
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $138,900 | 15.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $138,790 | 15.6% |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | 15.7% |
| Lawyer | $132,400 | 16.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | 16.4% |
| Operations Manager | $117,040 | 18.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $116,130 | 18.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,980 | 19.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,500 | 21.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,550 | 21.8% |
| Accountant | $85,160 | 25.5% |
| Police Officer | $76,530 | 28.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,400 | 28.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,860 | 29.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,620 | 29.1% |
| Firefighter | $73,810 | 29.4% |
| Electrician | $65,590 | 33.1% |
| Plumber | $63,200 | 34.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,180 | 34.3% |
| Carpenter | $62,380 | 34.8% |
| Truck Driver | $59,460 | 36.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,790 | 46.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,250 | 50.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,850 | 50.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,770 | 50.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,420 | 57.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,170 | 60.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,800 | 62.3% |
| Cashier | $33,760 | 64.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Towson?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,447 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $469,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $46,900 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Towson, MD?
Renting in Towson costs a median of about $1,807 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Towson?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,280 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Towson cheap or expensive?
Towson is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.8% of the typical household income of $109,274. It ranks 56th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Towson?
The median homeowner in Towson pays $4,796 a year in property taxes, about 1.02% of the median home value.
Is Towson more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Towson?
The median home value in Towson is $469,000, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
58,679 people live in Towson. Numbers are typical (middle) values.