Charlestown, MD vs Fulton, MD

The cost of living difference between Charlestown, MD and Fulton, MD is dramatic. Charlestown is 43.3% cheaper than Fulton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Charlestown has a cost index of 112 while Fulton sits at 198, 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 Charlestown is $1,548/month compared to $3,052/month in Fulton — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charlestown is more affordable at $361,300 median vs $847,700.

Median household income in Charlestown is $109,650 compared to $240,219 in Fulton (-54.4%). While Fulton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charlestown spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Fulton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55.2°F vs 56.2°F). Charlestown receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 45" in Fulton.