Beltsville, MD vs Fairwood, MD

The cost of living difference between Beltsville, MD and Fairwood, MD is dramatic. Beltsville is 35.5% cheaper than Fairwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beltsville has a cost index of 130 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 Beltsville is $1,989/month compared to $3,501/month in Fairwood — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beltsville is more affordable at $381,100 median vs $695,300.

Median household income in Beltsville is $97,115 compared to $191,319 in Fairwood (-49.2%). While Fairwood 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 22% in Fairwood.

Climate-wise, Beltsville is notably warmer with an average of 59.3°F compared to 56.2°F in Fairwood. Fairwood receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 41.8" in Beltsville.