Fairwood, MD vs Jefferson, MD

The cost of living difference between Fairwood, MD and Jefferson, MD is dramatic. Jefferson is 70.1% cheaper than Fairwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairwood has a cost index of 202 while Jefferson sits at 119, 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 Fairwood is $3,501/month compared to $1,347/month in Jefferson — a 160% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jefferson is more affordable at $479,400 median vs $695,300.

Median household income in Fairwood is $191,319 compared to $145,664 in Jefferson (+31.3%). Fairwood does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairwood spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Jefferson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 54.1°F). Fairwood receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 39" in Jefferson.