Maryland · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Hagerstown, MD

The median household in Hagerstown, MD earns $52,221 a year ($4,352/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,261/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $50,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$52,221$4,352 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,261HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.2-5.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate21.8¢per kWh · EIA Residential MD
Census Population43,665Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Hagerstown, MD

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,261Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,306At 30% of $52,221
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Hagerstown, MD

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Hagerstown, MD HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Hagerstown, MD
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$869$10,428$34,76020%
1-Bedroom Apartment$961$11,532$38,44022.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,261$15,132$50,44029%
3-Bedroom Home$1,700$20,400$68,00039.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,901$22,812$76,04043.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Hagerstown, MD →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Hagerstown, MD

Based on the local median household income of $52,221/year ($4,352/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,176/moRent ($1,261 2-BR), utilities (~$197/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,306/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$870/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Maryland

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Maryland state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$52,221
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,221
Net 80%
Fed 8%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,023After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,502Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,616Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,087 / yr
Maryland state income tax$2,117 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,995 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Maryland with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hagerstown, MD

What is the median household income in Hagerstown, MD?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hagerstown, MD is $52,221 per year (approximately $4,352 per month).

What is the average rent in Hagerstown, MD?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Hagerstown, MD are $869 for a studio, $961 for 1 bedroom, $1,261 for 2 bedrooms, $1,700 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,901 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Hagerstown, MD compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Hagerstown, MD is 94.2 (5.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Hagerstown, MD?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,261/month) in Hagerstown, MD requires a minimum gross household income of $50,440 per year ($4,203 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Hagerstown, MD?

For a typical household earning the median income of $52,221/year ($4,352/month) in Hagerstown, MD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,176/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,306/month to discretionary spending, and $870/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Hagerstown, MD?

Residential electricity rates in Maryland average 21.8¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $197 per month.