Fort Meade, MD vs South Laurel, MD

Fort Meade, MD and South Laurel, MD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Fort Meade scores 133 while South Laurel scores 129 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.

Renters will find that Fort Meade has a median rent of $2,380/month while South Laurel comes in at $1,795/month, a 33% difference.

Median household income in Fort Meade is $102,886 compared to $90,715 in South Laurel (+13.4%). While Fort Meade is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Meade spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 23.7% in South Laurel.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 56.2°F). South Laurel receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 45" in Fort Meade.