Dorchester County, Maryland Housing Market
In Dorchester County, Maryland, the median home value is $262,400, with a median monthly rent of $1,032. This places Dorchester County at #827 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #19 within Maryland.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $976
- Establishments: 761
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 64
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 13,641 (avg $67,305)
- Outflow: 12,936 (avg $65,423)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 3 active ZIP codes in Dorchester County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21631 | 300.0 | — | 2025 |
| 2 | 21613 | 235.5 | +3.01% | 2025 |
| 3 | 21643 | 246.2 | -0.02% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Dorchester County Compares
| Metric | Dorchester County | Maryland Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $262,400 | $370,016 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,032 | $1,459 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 65.6% | 72.7% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 21.2 | 21.1 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Dorchester County is 29.1% below the Maryland state average and 15.2% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,032/month is 29.3% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 21.2, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Dorchester County has an owner-occupancy rate of 65.6%, compared to 72.7% in Maryland and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartley County | Texas | $262,500 | $1,028 |
| Lee County | Alabama | $262,200 | $1,058 |
| Minidoka County | Idaho | $262,600 | $900 |
| Bexar County | Texas | $262,200 | $1,354 |
| Polk County | Iowa | $262,100 | $1,149 |
Other Counties in Maryland
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wicomico County | $254,700 | $1,327 | 62.3% |
| Garrett County | $235,300 | $765 | 79.7% |
| Caroline County | $290,100 | $1,105 | 71.9% |
| Baltimore city | $229,600 | $1,331 | 47.5% |
| Washington County | $296,100 | $1,147 | 66.8% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).