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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,079 (excluding rent), and $3,039 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,736 (excluding rent), and $5,840 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.20 $20.20

$11.11 $11.11

$45.44 $45.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.2 $79.2

$59.4 $59.4

$129 $129

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.10 $13.10

$9.52 $9.52

$14.89 $14.89

Cappuccino

$5.32 $5.32

$3.46 $3.46

$7.90 $7.90

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

$2.75 $2.75

$1.97 $1.97

$2.95 $2.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.01 $1.01

$3.03 $3.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.98 $5.98

$2.99 $2.99

$6.98 $6.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.86 $7.86

$5.07 $5.07

$10.14 $10.14

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.52 $0.52

$1.16 $1.16

White Bread (500g)

$3.33 $3.33

$1.11 $1.11

$4.47 $4.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.26 $7.26

$2.24 $2.24

$11.20 $11.20

Eggs

$4.88 $4.88

$1.57 $1.57

$8.94 $8.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.05 $19.05

$6.05 $6.05

$22.41 $22.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.06 $10.06

$6.47 $6.47

$12.87 $12.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.72 $16.72

$8.94 $8.94

$34.63 $34.63

Apples (1kg)

$6.08 $6.08

$2.15 $2.15

$7.54 $7.54

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.32 $1.32

$4.54 $4.54

Oranges (1kg)

$8.20 $8.20

$4.46 $4.46

$11.19 $11.19

Tomato (1kg)

$6.63 $6.63

$3.52 $3.52

$6.63 $6.63

Potato (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$2.16 $2.16

$5.46 $5.46

Onion (1kg)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.01 $2.01

$4.43 $4.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.01 $1.01

$3.06 $3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.18 $1.18

$4.91 $4.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.44 $11.44

$9.95 $9.95

$12.93 $12.93

Wine (Bottle)

$13.82 $13.82

$7.90 $7.90

$17.77 $17.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.11 $2.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 $3.80

$1.67 $1.67

$7.10 $7.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.52 $4.52

$3.01 $3.01

$6.03 $6.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 $1.57

$4.41 $4.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.85 $28.85

$26.10 $26.10

$34.60 $34.60

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.80 $0.80

$1.06 $1.06

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.5K $35.5K

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$22.9K $22.9K

$25.8K $25.8K

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

$217 $217

$89.9 $89.9

$450 $450

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

$62.5 $62.5

$34.61 $34.61

$117 $117

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.1 $73.1

$40.07 $40.07

$111 $111

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.15 $40.15

$17.57 $17.57

$50.2 $50.2

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$12.77 $12.77

$24.58 $24.58

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

$1,726 $1,726

$1,183 $1,183

$2,465 $2,465

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K $24.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.9 $52.9

$39.36 $39.36

$87.6 $87.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.46 $32.46

$19.98 $19.98

$79.9 $79.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.8 $95.8

$59.3 $59.3

$127 $127

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$177 $177

$68.9 $68.9

$255 $255

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,616 $1,616

$1,086 $1,086

$1,885 $1,885

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,283 $1,283

$1,876 $1,876

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,607 $3,607

$3,070 $3,070

$4,226 $4,226

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,697 $2,697

$2,452 $2,452

$2,942 $2,942

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,282 $6,282

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: March 2, 2026

College Park, MD Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.