Everything to Know About the Cost of Living in Rockville, MD in 2025
Overview of Rockville
Rockville hangs out just above D.C. in Montgomery County, and it’s the kind of spot where you hop off the Red Line, stroll past biotech labs, then lace up skates at Town Square before grabbing ramen nearby.
The rail grid and bus network keep commutes chill, while healthy biotech paychecks soften the blow of prices in Rockville running high.
Spend one weekend sampling rooftop concerts and late-night noodles, and you’ll get why so many folks choose to live in Rockville for the long haul.
Why People Move to Rockville
People move because the city in Maryland mixes leafy neighborhoods with a downtown that feels urban but not overwhelming.
Residents can bike to work, meet friends for dumplings, then catch a MARC train to Camden Yards.
Add highly rated public schools and a steady stream of biotechnology job opportunities, and relocation starts to feel like common sense, even with the high cost verdict locals mutter about over coffee.
2025 Housing Costs in Rockville
In July 2025, the median listing home price landed at about $649,000, while the median sale price hovered near $578,000.
That means the typical median home sits well above the state average, yet buyers still comb listings because homes for sale in Rockville often trade fast thanks to solid equity growth.
The Zillow Home Value Index puts the average home value at roughly $620,000, about a 2 percent bump over last summer, with most places slipping under contract in roughly two weeks.
Rent Prices for Apartments & Condos
Apartment hunters face rent prices that run steeper than many nearby suburbs.
A recent snapshot shows a two-bedroom averaging $2,516 per month, a one-bedroom about $2,043, and even a studio topping $1,800.
Rent prices in Rockville are roughly twenty-five percent higher than the national average, putting the city on lists of expensive cities for renters.
Property Taxes and Homeowner Costs
Rockville charges $0.292 per $100 of assessed value on real property.
On a $600,000 average home, that equals roughly $1,752 a year before the Montgomery County levy kicks in.
Add the city’s annual refuse fee, budgeted at $565 for FY 2026, plus HOA dues where applicable, and the cost of housing keeps stacking up.
Utilities and Basic Services
Electric bills average $151 a month at about 17.46 ¢/kWh.
Numbeo pegs combined basic utilities such as power, heating, water, and trash, near $159 per month, with internet service adding $63-ish.
Those utility costs are slightly higher than many parts of living in Maryland, though still lower than the national average for large metros with cold winters.
Trash Collection and Other Local Services
Most single-family homes enjoy weekly curbside trash, recycling, and yard-waste pickup bundled into that city refuse fee.
Water and sewer rates ticked up July 1, 2024, and will climb gradually through 2027, so expect costs in Rockville to be slightly higher every July.
Transportation Expenses
Rockville offers several public transportation options, including the Red Line, Metrobus, Ride On, and MARC Brunswick.
A Metrorail public transportation pass costs $60.75 for unlimited seven-day rides. Compared with gas and parking, many commuters see the cost benefits, even if service hiccups now and then.
Good transit keeps Rockville one of the best places to live for folks who refuse long car commutes.
Gas Prices and Car Insurance
AAA lists the Maryland statewide gallon at $3.108 on August 18, 2025. Insurance averages $1,400 a year, but prices vary based on ZIP, record, and vehicle.
Parking and Tolls
Downtown garages run $1–$2 an hour, while daily Metro commuter lots cap near $5. ICC tolls tag longer drives east or west. Altogether, car-centric residents incur hefty transportation expenses if they skip public transit.
Food and Grocery Prices in Rockville, Maryland
A fresh-food basket with milk, bread, eggs, chicken, and produce costs about nine percent above the national average, according to crowdsourced figures.
Think $4.30 for a gallon of milk and $3.40 for a loaf of artisanal bread. No shock then that grocery costs in Rockville can feel steep after a Costco run.
Dining Out and Takeout Costs
Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant lands near $82, while a quick burger combo sits at $10-$12.
Healthcare Costs in Rockville, MD
Statewide marketplace data shows the average Silver plan premium for health insurance at $412 per month in 2025, much lower than the U.S. average cost of $621.
That helps offset the high cost of living compared to many suburbs.
Medical Services and Accessibility
Proximity to NIH and Johns Hopkins satellites means strong care, yet urgent-care visits still run $165 before insurance.
Factor copays and deductibles into your living expenses plan if you are moving to Rockville.
Education and Childcare
Montgomery County Public Schools headquarter here, and a heavy share of campuses score above average on GreatSchools, bolstering the overall quality of life.
Private School Tuition
Private K-8 options hover between $14,000 and $24,000 a year, while elite prep schools in nearby Bethesda charge more.
Childcare and Daycare Costs
A statewide survey pegs full-time daycare at roughly $2,570 a month, with weekly care about $791.That childcare outlay can rival a mortgage payment, so plan accordingly.
Taxes in Rockville
Maryland uses a progressive system for state income tax that starts at 2 percent and climbs to 5.75 percent, with a new 6.25 percent bracket for single filers above $500,000 and joint filers above $600,000.
Because even incomes over $3,000 get taxed, a new hire’s first paycheck in Rockville feels a touch lighter than in nearby states, especially once the county add-on lands.
Sales Tax
The state sales tax sits at a flat six percent, and Rockville doesn’t layer on any extra city or county charge.
Essentials like groceries and prescription drugs are exempt, but most retail goods and many services ring up at the full six, so a $1,200 laptop actually costs $1,272 at checkout.
Local Tax Considerations
Montgomery County nudged its local income tax from 3.2 percent to 3.3 percent for the 2025 tax year.
On a $120,000 salary, that extra tenth adds about $120, a small hit that helped county leaders scrap a planned property-tax hike.
Homeowners caught a break, while renters will spot the change in slightly higher withholding on every paycheck.
How Rockville's Cost of Living Compares to Nearby Areas
Rockville vs. Bethesda
Numbeo’s cost of living index for Bethesda shows grocery and rent edging even higher there, but restaurant tabs are nearly identical.
If you care most about safe walkability, Bethesda wins; if you crave slightly lower rents and bigger yards, Rockville might prevail.
Rockville vs. Washington, D.C.
Washington’s index posts 82.5 mid-year 2025, meaning D.C. is pricier overall, especially for downtown meals.
Still, Rockville is more expensive than the national average, and closing the gap on the capital for gas and utilities.
Rockville vs. Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg’s index trails Rockville, and restaurant meals cost a few bucks less. Yet compare the cost of living thoroughly; some Gaithersburg rentals approach Rockville numbers when near the MARC station.
Is Rockville Worth the Cost?
If you value short Metro rides, top schools, and a booming biotech scene, the high cost of living compared with smaller suburbs may still feel justified.
Costs in Rockville reflect demand, plenty of goods and services, and a steady average salary base.
FAQ’s About the Cost of Living in Rockville
How much do utilities run each month?
A typical two-bedroom condo pays around $159 for basic utilities plus roughly $63 for gig-speed internet, making total utility outlays about $222.
Is the cost of living in Rockville higher than the national average?
Yes. Overall expenses, including rent, groceries, and services, sit nine to twenty-five percent above the national average, depending on category.
What kind of salary do I need to live in Rockville?
Many suggest at least $100,000 to maintain comfort, and closer to $120,000 if you plan on purchasing property.
What is the unemployment rate?
The wider Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick division held a low 2.4 percent rate in early 2025, signaling plentiful job opportunities.
Are groceries really that pricey?
Grocery costs here run about ten percent above the national basket, though wholesale clubs can trim that gap. Rockville is slightly higher on meat and produce, yet dry goods mirror most of living in a certain location along the Mid-Atlantic.