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Maryland's Future Flees High Housing Costs
11 Feb
Summary
- Nearly half of young professionals consider leaving Maryland due to housing costs.
- Most voters find buying homes and renting in Maryland prohibitively expensive.
- Maryland faces a shortage of 100,000 housing units, needing 600,000 by 2045.
A growing number of Marylanders are leaving the state, primarily driven by soaring housing costs. A January 2026 survey by Maryland REALTORS found that 49% of young professionals are contemplating a move due to the lack of affordable housing. This trend impacts essential workers such as teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals, who are relocating to neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as Washington D.C., Florida, and Texas.
The survey indicates a widespread dissatisfaction with housing expenses; 90% of voters believe buying a home in Maryland is too costly, a six-point increase from the previous year and a substantial 33-point jump since 2020. Rent is also deemed too expensive by 88% of respondents, and 62% feel there is insufficient housing for moderate-income individuals.
Maryland REALTORS President Denise Lewis highlighted the state's deficit of 100,000 housing units, emphasizing the necessity to construct nearly 600,000 new units by 2045 to accommodate population growth. Voters are looking for solutions that increase housing supply and affordability without adding financial strain, a sentiment aligning with Gov. Wes Moore's proposed agenda for the 2026 legislative session.
