Charlestown, MD vs Upper Marlboro, MD

Charlestown, MD and Upper Marlboro, MD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Charlestown scores 112 while Upper Marlboro scores 117 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charlestown is $1,548/month compared to $1,786/month in Upper Marlboro — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charlestown has cheaper rent, Upper Marlboro actually has lower median home values ($299,700 vs $361,300).

Median household income in Charlestown is $109,650 compared to $115,568 in Upper Marlboro (-5.1%). While Upper Marlboro 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, less than the 18.5% in Upper Marlboro.

Climate-wise, Upper Marlboro is notably warmer with an average of 59.3°F compared to 55.2°F in Charlestown. Charlestown receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 41.8" in Upper Marlboro.