Independent Living in Maryland

Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is a vibrant retirement destination packed with things to see and do. Notable attractions include Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Ocean City Boardwalk and Assateague Island, which is famous for its wild horses. The Old Line State is home to more than 6 million residents, including nearly 1 million senior citizens. Although the cost of living is about 13% higher than other parts of the country, health care is more affordable than average, and residents have access to world-class medical care at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

The state is home to a number of long-term care facilities and continuing care retirement communities that cater to residents with varying needs. Seniors who can live on their own with minimal assistance are good candidates for independent living. These facilities provide comfortable age-restricted accommodations with access to recreational activities and social services. The median cost of independent living in Maryland is $3,250 per month, which is slightly higher than the national average.

Seniors who want to learn more about their independent living options in Maryland, including the average cost of these services, will find helpful information in this guide. It also lists a number of statewide agencies that can assist with long-term care planning and healthy aging.

Note: Independent Living cost data isn’t available from any nationally respected sources, but on average, this type of care costs 30%-40% less than Assisted Living. To calculate Independent Living rates, we deducted 35% from the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey’s Assisted Living fees.

Independent Living residents in Maryland pay $3,185 per month for services compared to the national median of $2,925, indicating that this state is among the costlier options in the country for this type of care. Seniors may save money by living in West Virginia, where rates are considerably more competitive at $2,704, or in Pennsylvania, where rates are affordable compared to Maryland at $2,665. In Virginia and Delaware, monthly fees are higher at $3,413 and $3,897, respectively.  

Independent living rates are fairly consistent across Maryland, averaging between $3,000 and $4,000 per month. The most cost-effective city to obtain care in Maryland is Hagerstown, where care costs come in at $3,010. In the Baltimore area, fees are comparable at $3,088, and in Salisbury, seniors pay $3,237. Cumberland is the costliest option surveyed within the state at $3,411. Seniors in Washington, D.C., pay $3,866 for care, and across state lines in Dover, Delaware, fees are higher than in any Maryland city at $3,947.  

Maryland seniors have numerous long-term care options, depending on their needs, lifestyle preferences and budgets. Older adults who want to remain in their homes and save money on monthly care may consider Adult Day Health Care, the most affordable option at $1,928 monthly. In-Home Care, which includes basic services such as housekeeping and companionship, costs $5,148, and Home Health Care has the same monthly rate despite featuring specialized services such as wound care and medical monitoring. Assisted Living is moderately priced at $4,900, and Nursing Home care is the most expensive at $10,342 for a semiprivate room and $12,167 for a private room.

Most seniors pay for independent living out-of-pocket using retirement income or funds from investment accounts. Medicare and Medicaid typically won’t cover these services since rates cover room and board, rather than medically necessary supports. Long-term care insurance may pay for some charges, such as meal preparation assistance and help with errands. Reverse mortgages may also provide a source of ongoing funding or a lump-sum payment that can be used for buy-in fees and other one-time expenses. See our guide to independent living for more information.