Cost of living comparison

 California, USA
compared to
 Maryland, USA
Maryland vs. California Cost of Living Summary

Maryland is 4.3% cheaper than California.

Restaurants
pay 12.9% less in Maryland
Groceries
pay 2.2% less in Maryland
Transportation
pay 2.7% more in Maryland
Housing
pay 13.9% less in Maryland
Childcare
pay 1.1% less in Maryland
Entertainment and Sports
pay 6.4% less in Maryland
Clothing
pay 3.6% more in Maryland

The cost of clothing and transportation in Maryland are more expensive than in California. Expenses including housing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, groceries, and childcare are lower in Maryland.

Maryland vs. California Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Maryland instead of California, you would:

pay 12.9% less for restaurants

 
California
Maryland
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $21.02
 
$18.52
 
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$11.52
 
$9.32
 
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.71
 
$2.35
 

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pay 2.2% less for groceries

 
California
Maryland
Bread
1 loaf
$4.14
 
$3.64
 
Local cheese (8 oz) $6.95
 
$6.32
 
Milk (1 gallon) $4.61
 
$3.96
 

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pay 2.7% more for transportation

 
California
Maryland
Gasoline (1 gallon) $4.83
 
$3.38
 
Monthly public transit pass $62.05
 
$100.44
 
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $30,005.28
 
$27,215.38
 

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pay 13.9% less for housing

 
California
Maryland
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$68.54
 
$74.60
 
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $2,371.29
 
$1,887.47
 
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $2,055.18
 
$1,554.10
 

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pay 1.1% less for childcare

 
California
Maryland
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $1,682.51
 
$1,794.91
 
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $30,905.75
 
$28,176.36
 

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pay 6.4% less for entertainment and sports

 
California
Maryland
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $7.00
 
$5.98
 
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.34
 
$4.95
 
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$10.91
 
$10.40
 

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pay 3.6% more for clothing

 
California
Maryland
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$52.77
 
$50.07
 
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$40.15
 
$39.27
 
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$85.15
 
$97.44
 

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: February 2025
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