Arbutus, MD vs Fairwood, MD

The cost of living difference between Arbutus, MD and Fairwood, MD is dramatic. Arbutus is 51.4% cheaper than Fairwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arbutus has a cost index of 98 while Fairwood sits at 202, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arbutus is $1,238/month compared to $3,501/month in Fairwood — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arbutus is more affordable at $296,800 median vs $695,300.

Median household income in Arbutus is $97,215 compared to $191,319 in Fairwood (-49.2%). The higher salaries in Fairwood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arbutus spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Fairwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.1°F vs 56.2°F). Fairwood receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 43.7" in Arbutus.