Beltsville, MD vs Essex, MD

The cost of living difference between Beltsville, MD and Essex, MD is dramatic. Essex is 34.6% cheaper than Beltsville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beltsville has a cost index of 130 while Essex sits at 97, 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 Beltsville is $1,989/month compared to $1,307/month in Essex — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Essex is more affordable at $253,500 median vs $381,100.

Median household income in Beltsville is $97,115 compared to $67,082 in Essex (+44.8%). While Beltsville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beltsville spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 23.4% in Essex.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.3°F vs 59.1°F). Essex receives more rainfall at 43.7" per year compared to 41.8" in Beltsville.