Fort Washington, MD vs Rockville, MD

Fort Washington, MD and Rockville, MD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Fort Washington scores 159 while Rockville scores 160 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 Fort Washington is $2,724/month compared to $2,244/month in Rockville — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rockville has cheaper rent, Fort Washington actually has lower median home values ($464,300 vs $658,300).

Median household income in Fort Washington is $145,942 compared to $122,384 in Rockville (+19.2%). Fort Washington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Washington spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22% in Rockville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.3°F vs 59.3°F). Rockville receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.8" in Fort Washington.