Cost of Living in California, MD - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,027 (excluding rent), and $2,539 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,810 (excluding rent), and $4,917 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.22 $9.22

$6.46 $6.46

$61.5 $61.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.1 $79.1

$59.3 $59.3

$198 $198

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.08 $10.08

$20.15 $20.15

Cappuccino

$5.72 $5.72

$3.95 $3.95

$7.91 $7.91

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$1.94 $1.94

$4.86 $4.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.98 $1.98

$4.95 $4.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.43 $5.43

$2.18 $2.18

$9.87 $9.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.89 $6.89

$3.72 $3.72

$14.76 $14.76

Milk (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.55 $0.55

$1.23 $1.23

White Bread (500g)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.14 $2.14

$5.35 $5.35

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

$7.51 $7.51

Eggs

$4.82 $4.82

$1.96 $1.96

$10.28 $10.28

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.32 $13.32

$8.88 $8.88

$22.2 $22.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.05 $10.05

$6.46 $6.46

$25.94 $25.94

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.24 $11.24

$8.99 $8.99

$22.48 $22.48

Apples (1kg)

$4.3 $4.3

$2.15 $2.15

$6.45 $6.45

Banana (1kg)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.29 $1.29

$4.37 $4.37

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.33 $4.33

$10.86 $10.86

Tomato (1kg)

$6.74 $6.74

$3.58 $3.58

$6.74 $6.74

Potato (1kg)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.2 $2.2

$5.55 $5.55

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.03 $2.03

$4.48 $4.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.98 $1.98

$0.98 $0.98

$2.98 $2.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.17 $1.17

$4.87 $4.87

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.75 $8.75

$7.78 $7.78

$9.72 $9.72

Wine (Bottle)

$13.77 $13.77

$7.87 $7.87

$17.7 $17.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

$4.32 $4.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.89 $4.89

$2.93 $2.93

$6.85 $6.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.99 $1.99

$2.24 $2.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.3 $80.3

$62.1 $62.1

$98.6 $98.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.07 $4.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.12 $29.12

$26.34 $26.34

$34.92 $34.92

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.74 $0.74

$1.08 $1.08

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.1K $29.1K

$22.9K $22.9K

$35.2K $35.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.5K $23.5K

$26.1K $26.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$210 $210

$104 $104

$400 $400

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$42.04 $42.04

$35.04 $35.04

$180 $180

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.7 $68.7

$58.8 $58.8

$98.1 $98.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.74 $40.74

$17.82 $17.82

$50.9 $50.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.96 $10.96

Cinema Ticket

$14.79 $14.79

$24.65 $24.65

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,164 $2,164

$961 $961

$3,368 $3,368

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54 $54

$40.15 $40.15

$120 $120

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.52 $47.52

$45.02 $45.02

$50 $50

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.5 $95.5

$59.1 $59.1

$138 $138

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$135 $135

$74.1 $74.1

$256 $256

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,736 $1,736

$433 $433

$3,251 $3,251

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,333 $1,333

$860 $860

$2,227 $2,227

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,478 $2,478

$1,306 $1,306

$3,114 $3,114

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,133 $2,133

$1,663 $1,663

$2,520 $2,520

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,960 $6,960

$2,356 $2,356

$11.6K $11.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,426 $6,426

$2,359 $2,359

$10.5K $10.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,048 $7,048

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.48

6.19

6.9

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in California, MD - Frequently Asked Questions

California, MD offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find a range of housing options, from compact apartments to larger homes with yard space, and dining that covers casual spots and neighborhood favorites. Compared with major coastal metros, you tend to encounter a steadier price rhythm, a slower pace, and shorter daily commutes that can save time and stress. Seasonal costs shift with the tourist calendar, but groceries, utilities, and everyday services stay manageable with sensible planning. Cost of Living in California, MD, United States provides a clear yardstick for shaping your expectations, budgets, and long-term stays. Tip: Start with one neighborhood to anchor your search and map your daily routines.

Daily life in California, MD tends to revolve around a tight, walkable center and nearby services. Housing search favors established neighborhoods with easy access to shops and parks; you’ll find a mix of rental apartments and small homes that feel neighborly rather than impersonal. Food options include casual eateries, farmers markets, and reliable grocery stores for home cooking. Transportation is mostly car‑driven, with practical options for biking and occasional public transit depending on where you live. For digital nomads, co-working spaces are practical, with coffee shops and libraries serving as reliable work nooks. California, MD, United States living cost reflects steady, predictable patterns worth planning around. Tip: build a two-week trial plan to test routines across a couple of neighborhoods.

Budgeting and lifestyle choices help maximize quality of life here. Use a simple framework that separates essential costs (housing, groceries, utilities) from discretionary spend (eat‑out, hobbies) and adjusts with seasons. Shoulder seasons offer quieter weekends and easier access to local parks, farms, and waterfront spots. When choosing a neighborhood, look for walkability, proximity to daily needs, and a sense of community rather than sheer buzz; sidewalks, safety, and access to greenspace matter as much as price. Practical savings come from cooking at home, planning errands in clusters, and taking advantage of local markets. Tip: test several areas for a couple of weeks to see where you feel most at home.