Garrison, MD vs South Laurel, MD

Garrison is moderately more affordable than South Laurel, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Garrison scores 122 compared to 129 for South Laurel, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Laurel can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Garrison is $2,019/month compared to $1,795/month in South Laurel — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Laurel has cheaper rent, Garrison actually has lower median home values ($297,600 vs $443,100).

Median household income in Garrison is $96,916 compared to $90,715 in South Laurel (+6.8%). 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 23.7% in South Laurel.

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