Cost of Living in College Park, MD - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,063 (excluding rent), and $3,037 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,998 (excluding rent), and $5,841 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.71 $19.71

$10.84 $10.84

$44.34 $44.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.9 $80.9

$60.7 $60.7

$132 $132

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.39 $13.39

$9.73 $9.73

$15.21 $15.21

Cappuccino

$5.45 $5.45

$3.54 $3.54

$8.09 $8.09

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

$2.87 $2.87

$2.05 $2.05

$3.08 $3.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.03 $1.03

$3.08 $3.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

$2.93 $2.93

$6.84 $6.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.93 $7.93

$5.12 $5.12

$10.23 $10.23

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$0.52 $0.52

$1.17 $1.17

White Bread (500g)

$3.33 $3.33

$1.11 $1.11

$4.46 $4.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.31 $7.31

$2.25 $2.25

$11.28 $11.28

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$1.56 $1.56

$8.87 $8.87

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.73 $18.73

$5.95 $5.95

$22.04 $22.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.14 $10.14

$6.52 $6.52

$12.98 $12.98

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.58 $16.58

$8.86 $8.86

$34.34 $34.34

Apples (1kg)

$6.28 $6.28

$2.22 $2.22

$7.79 $7.79

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 $1.75

$1.25 $1.25

$4.3 $4.3

Oranges (1kg)

$8.16 $8.16

$4.43 $4.43

$11.13 $11.13

Tomato (1kg)

$6.63 $6.63

$3.52 $3.52

$6.63 $6.63

Potato (1kg)

$4.69 $4.69

$2.14 $2.14

$5.4 $5.4

Onion (1kg)

$3.63 $3.63

$1.98 $1.98

$4.36 $4.36

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.01 $1.01

$3.06 $3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.21 $1.21

$5.03 $5.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.72 $11.72

$10.19 $10.19

$13.25 $13.25

Wine (Bottle)

$11.78 $11.78

$7.85 $7.85

$24.53 $24.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$2.1 $2.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.7 $3.7

$1.63 $1.63

$6.91 $6.91

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$3.02 $3.02

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.6 $4.6

$3.06 $3.06

$6.13 $6.13

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 $1.51

$4.23 $4.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.62 $29.62

$26.79 $26.79

$35.51 $35.51

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.78 $0.78

$1.04 $1.04

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.6K $35.6K

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

$24.8K $24.8K

$23.2K $23.2K

$26.2K $26.2K

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

$216 $216

$89.4 $89.4

$447 $447

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

$63.8 $63.8

$35.34 $35.34

$119 $119

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72 $72

$39.44 $39.44

$109 $109

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.79 $40.79

$17.84 $17.84

$51 $51

Cinema Ticket

$14.94 $14.94

$12.94 $12.94

$24.91 $24.91

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

$1,748 $1,748

$1,199 $1,199

$2,498 $2,498

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 $54.4

$40.48 $40.48

$90.1 $90.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.14 $33.14

$20.39 $20.39

$81.6 $81.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.4 $97.4

$60.2 $60.2

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$183 $183

$71 $71

$263 $263

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,629 $1,629

$1,095 $1,095

$1,901 $1,901

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,582 $1,582

$1,285 $1,285

$1,878 $1,878

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,563 $3,563

$3,033 $3,033

$4,175 $4,175

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,704 $2,704

$2,458 $2,458

$2,949 $2,949

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,504 $5,504

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.19

6.8

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in College Park, MD - Frequently Asked Questions

College Park, MD sits just outside Washington, DC, offering a mix of college-town charm and easy access to big-city amenities. For many travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the overall cost of living here strikes a balance between affordability and practicality: housing can be more cost-efficient than inner DC, while everyday costs rise closer to the regional metro core. Cost of Living in [location] is a handy headline to compare housing, groceries, and transit against other US college towns. You’ll find a spectrum of options, from modest apartments near campus to shared houses a quick ride from the Green Line. Tip: Plan a two-week trial period to test neighborhoods.

Daily life in College Park blends campus energy with convenient suburbia. Housing options span modest apartments near the University of Maryland to quieter towns a short ride from the Green Line, with rents and amenities varying by distance from campus. For groceries and dining, you’ll find a mix of national chains and independent spots; plan a weekly budget for fresh produce and quick meals. Transit is practical – bike lanes, walkability, and easy Metro access help you skip a car. [location] living cost comparisons can guide where you stay or cowork, especially for longer stays. Tip: Leverage campus housing boards and local coworking spaces to test fits quickly.

Quality of life in College Park blends proximity to the nation’s capital with a college-town feel, making it easy to balance work, study, and downtime. A simple budgeting framework helps you stay on track: label fixed costs, then carve out flexible categories for food, transport, and leisure. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activities, so plan for heating in cooler months and occasional heat-adaptive routines in summer. For neighborhood fit, spend a weekend exploring walkable cores, parks, and dining options, and note commute times to the university and Metro stops. Tip: join local coworking days or library events to sample vibes before settling in.