CountyScore

Charles County

Maryland · MD

#18 in Maryland
60.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Charles County, Maryland

Charles County scores above the national middle

With a composite score of 60.7, Charles County outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 71st percentile nationwide. This solid performance reflects a county where residents enjoy better-than-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Maryland's average

Charles County's score of 60.7 falls just short of Maryland's state average of 63.9, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 24 counties. The gap suggests some room for improvement compared to its strongest neighbors.

Strong health and tax benefits

Charles County excels in health (76.5) and maintains a favorable tax burden with a 1.039% effective tax rate and a tax score of 73.1. These strengths are bolstered by solid household incomes averaging $120,592, positioning the county as a healthy, relatively affordable place to live for middle-to-upper-income families.

Housing affordability is the real pressure point

The county's cost score of 40.3 reflects steep housing expenses, with a median home value of $402,300 and median rent at $1,897 monthly. This affordability gap is the primary constraint on livability for budget-conscious households in the area.

Best for affluent families seeking suburban health

Charles County suits upper-middle-income families and retirees who prioritize health services and low taxes over housing affordability. If you earn well and want a healthy community with manageable taxes, Charles County delivers—just be prepared for significant housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax73.1Cost40.3SafetyComing SoonHealth76.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome62.1Risk55.9WaterComing Soon
🏛73.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠40.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼62.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Charles County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Imperial County
California
60.7
Median income: $56,393
Fulton County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $58,617
Iroquois County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $62,439
Reno County
Kansas
60.7
Median income: $60,498
St. Louis County
Missouri
60.7
Median income: $81,340

Deep Dives

Charles County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Charles County

via TaxByCounty

Charles County taxes run above the national norm

At 1.039%, Charles County's effective property tax rate outpaces the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The median property tax bill here is $4,179, well above the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher tax rates and property values that exceed the national median of $281,900.

Eighth highest tax rate in Maryland

Charles County ranks eighth among Maryland's 24 counties by effective tax rate at 1.039%, above the state average of 0.957%. Its median tax bill of $4,179 is 25% higher than the state median of $3,328.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Charles County's 1.039% rate exceeds Calvert County's 0.848% and Prince George's County's 0.912%, though it trails Frederick County's 1.020% in the region. Homeowners here pay roughly $780 more annually than their Calvert County counterparts on a comparable property.

Expected annual tax on median home

A home valued at Charles County's median of $402,300 will generate approximately $4,179 in annual property taxes at the current 1.039% effective rate. With a mortgage, that estimate rises to $4,252; without one, it drops to $3,950.

You may be paying too much

Across Maryland, thousands of homeowners carry outdated assessments that don't reflect market conditions or recent improvements. Charles County residents should request a free assessment review or file a formal appeal if they believe their home's value has been overstated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Charles County

via CostByCounty

Charles County rents eat 18.9% of income

Charles County residents spend 18.9% of their median household income on rent, slightly above the national average of roughly 18%. With a median household income of $120,592—well above the national median of $74,755—Charles County renters enjoy stronger purchasing power than most Americans, even as rents climb.

Above Maryland's affordability average

Charles County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above Maryland's state average of 18.3%, meaning housing costs consume a touch more of residents' paychecks than typical for the state. However, the county's strong median income of $120,592 keeps it competitive across Maryland's housing landscape.

Pricier than nearby Southern Maryland

Charles County's median rent of $1,897 significantly exceeds nearby Dorchester County ($959) and Garrett County ($710), reflecting its proximity to Washington D.C. and stronger local economic growth. Homebuyers face similar patterns: Charles County's median home value of $402,300 tops most rural neighbors, though it trails affluent Howard County ($576,700).

Income covers both rents and mortgages

Renters pay $1,897 monthly while homeowners spend $2,170 on mortgage costs—both manageable on the county's $120,592 median income. Together, housing consumes roughly 30% of a typical household's gross income, leaving room for other expenses.

Consider Charles for D.C. commuters

If you're weighing relocation, Charles County offers strong income levels and reasonable housing costs compared to closer-in Maryland suburbs. Compare its 18.9% rent ratio against Howard ($16.6%) and Frederick ($17.0%) to find your affordability sweet spot.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Charles County

via IncomeByCounty

Charles County earns 61% above U.S. average

With a median household income of $120,592, Charles County residents earn significantly more than the national median of $74,755. This $45,837 advantage reflects a prosperous labor market driven by federal employment and proximity to Washington, D.C.

Third-richest county in Maryland

Charles County ranks third among Maryland's 24 jurisdictions for median household income, trailing only Howard and Montgomery counties. The county's $120,592 median substantially exceeds Maryland's statewide average of $94,152.

Outpaces rural and coastal neighbors

Charles County's $120,592 median household income towers over Dorchester County ($60,495) to the east and Garrett County ($69,031) to the west. This income advantage stems from its proximity to federal employment centers and suburban development patterns.

Housing costs are manageable

Renters in Charles County spend just 18.9% of their income on rent, comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. However, median home values of $402,300 require household incomes like those common here to sustain homeownership.

Build on your strong income foundation

Charles County's high earning power creates an opportunity to accelerate wealth-building through consistent investing and retirement contributions. Consider directing the income advantage over national averages into long-term investment accounts to compound your prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Charles County

via HealthByCounty

Charles County life expectancy slightly below US average

At 76.7 years, Charles County residents live roughly a year shorter than the US average of 78.8 years. The county's 16.0% poor or fair health rate aligns closely with national patterns, suggesting health outcomes here reflect broader American trends.

Charles County ranks mid-tier among Maryland counties

Charles County trails Maryland's state average life expectancy of 77.0 years by a small margin. With a poor/fair health rate of 16.0%, the county sits in the middle of the state's performance range.

Healthy neighbors to the north and south

Frederick County to the north boasts 80.0 years life expectancy, while Charles County sits at 76.7. Nearby Harford County (77.9 years) and Howard County (82.5 years) also outpace Charles County, though all share Charles's suburban Maryland corridor.

Insurance coverage strong, but primary care sparse

Charles County's 4.9% uninsured rate beats the state average of 6.4%, indicating most residents have healthcare access. However, the county has just 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the state average—making appointments potentially harder to secure.

Already covered? Check your plan and options.

Nearly 95% of Charles County residents carry health insurance, a strong showing. If you're among the uninsured or underinsured, visit marylandhealthconnection.gov to explore plans that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Charles County

via RiskByCounty

Charles County's Risk: Below National Average

Charles County scores 44.15 on the national composite risk scale, placing it well below the national median and significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. This relatively low rating reflects lower exposure to most hazard types across the board. However, the county faces elevated hurricane risk at 78.01, a critical concern in Maryland's coastal and near-coastal regions.

Safest Counties in Maryland

Charles County ranks among Maryland's safest jurisdictions with a composite risk score of 44.15, more than 16 points below the state average of 60.22. Only Garrett County and Kent County present lower overall risk profiles in the state. This relatively favorable standing offers residents some reassurance, though hurricane and earthquake hazards still warrant preparation.

Charles County Outpaces Regional Peers

Charles County's risk score of 44.15 is substantially lower than neighboring Calvert and St. Mary's counties and significantly safer than Howard County (72.42) and Montgomery County (91.67) to the north. Among Southern Maryland counties, only Charles maintains this advantage in overall risk mitigation. However, all region counties share elevated hurricane exposure due to Chesapeake Bay proximity.

Watch for Hurricanes and Earthquakes

Charles County's top hazards are hurricane risk (78.01) and earthquake risk (68.26), both well above national norms and reflecting the region's coastal vulnerability and position on seismic zones. Flood risk stands at 52.40, moderate but manageable with proper drainage and elevation planning. Tornado and wildfire risks remain relatively low at 29.17 and 19.24 respectively.

Secure Hurricane and Flood Coverage Now

Charles County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind damage coverage, as standard policies often exclude these perils. Consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if your property lies within 5 miles of the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Earthquake coverage is available as a rider and warrants evaluation given the county's 68.26 seismic risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.