Beltsville, MD vs Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is 22.8% cheaper than Beltsville. With a cost index of 106 vs 130, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fountainhead-Orchard Hills to Beltsville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Beltsville is $1,989/month compared to $1,518/month in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fountainhead-Orchard Hills is more affordable at $321,900 median vs $381,100.

Median household income in Beltsville is $97,115 compared to $97,743 in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills (-0.6%). Fountainhead-Orchard Hills offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Beltsville spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.6% in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills.

Climate-wise, Beltsville is notably warmer with an average of 59.3°F compared to 55.4°F in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills. Beltsville receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 35.6" in Fountainhead-Orchard Hills.