Garrison, MD vs Laurel, MD

Garrison, MD and Laurel, MD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Garrison scores 122 while Laurel scores 125 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 Garrison is $2,019/month compared to $1,878/month in Laurel — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Laurel has cheaper rent, Garrison actually has lower median home values ($297,600 vs $367,300).

Median household income in Garrison is $96,916 compared to $94,063 in Laurel (+3%). Garrison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Garrison spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Laurel.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.1°F vs 56.2°F). Laurel receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 43.7" in Garrison.