Living in Ocean City, Maryland
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ocean City · Census data 2020–2024
Ocean City has 6,903 residents with a median age of 55.6. The median household income is $77,750 (25% lower than the Maryland median), the median home value is $429,000, the median rent is $1,353/month.
Ocean City at a glance
- Population
- 6,903
- Median age
- 55.6State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $77,750State: $103,678
- Median home value
- $429,000State: $419,900
- Median rent
- $1,353/moState: $1,705
- Homeowners
- 74.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.7%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Ocean City a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 25% lower than the Maryland median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 10.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ocean City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ocean City the median home value is $429,000, 29% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,353 per month, which is 33.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,053 a month in housing costs.
Ocean City median household income
The median household income in Ocean City is $77,750 and the income per person is $72,487. 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Maryland: 9.4%).
Housing in Ocean City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 29,811
- Owner-occupied
- 74.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.8%
- Vacant
- 87.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 1.77
87.2% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Ocean City has many vacation and second homes.
Ocean City demographics
- Population
- 6,903
- Median age
- 55.6
- Under 18
- 9.4%
- 65 and older
- 31.2%
- Households
- 3,828
- Foreign-born
- 10.1%
- Veterans
- 8.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ocean City ›
Education in Ocean City
41.7% of adults 25 and older in Ocean City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maryland: 43.4%), and 16.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ocean City
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 17.4%
- Drive alone
- 66.3%
- Public transit
- 1.1%
- Walk to work
- 3.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.1%
Ocean City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean City | 6,903 | $77,750 | $429,000 | $1,353 |
| Fenwick Island | 401 | $113,125 | $1,394,700 | $1,438 |
| Ocean Pines | 12,351 | $91,824 | $380,100 | $2,069 |
| West Ocean City | 5,198 | $97,165 | $423,700 | $1,620 |
| South Bethany | 545 | $116,875 | $955,200 | — |
| Selbyville | 3,097 | $75,592 | $432,900 | $1,152 |
| Bethany Beach | 905 | $117,159 | $720,900 | $1,375 |
| Ocean View | 2,851 | $91,500 | $514,200 | $1,774 |
| Millville | 2,430 | $99,776 | $494,500 | $1,750 |
More for people moving to Ocean City
Ocean City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ocean City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ocean City, MD?
The median household income in Ocean City is $77,750, 25% lower than the Maryland median of $103,678 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ocean City?
The median home value in Ocean City is $429,000, compared with $419,900 in Maryland.
How much is rent in Ocean City?
The median gross rent in Ocean City is $1,353 per month, about 33.5% of household income.
Is Ocean City, MD a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 25% lower than the Maryland median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 10.9%.
What is the median age in Ocean City?
The median age in Ocean City is 55.6 years (Maryland: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Ocean City?
The average commute to work in Ocean City is 20 minutes; 17.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ocean City?
The unemployment rate in Ocean City is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ocean City?
41.7% of adults in Ocean City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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