Maryland may be known for its sky-high listings near D.C. and Baltimore, but not every town is playing that game. According to the latest Zillow Home Value Index, these 21 places offer some of the most affordable homes in the state as of June 2025—often thousands below the state median. They’re quiet, often overlooked spots: fishing villages along the Chesapeake, mountain towns tucked into the Appalachians, and slow-growth communities that never chased the boom. Some are recovering, others just stayed grounded—but all of them prove you don’t need a six-figure income to own a little piece of Maryland.
21. Deal Island – 59% Home Price Increase Since 2010
- 2010: $129,789
- 2011: $126,801 (-$2,988, -2.30% from previous year)
- 2012: $130,147 (+$3,346, +2.64% from previous year)
- 2013: $115,215 (-$14,932, -11.47% from previous year)
- 2014: $121,920 (+$6,705, +5.82% from previous year)
- 2015: $127,491 (+$5,571, +4.57% from previous year)
- 2016: $126,721 (-$770, -0.60% from previous year)
- 2017: $121,520 (-$5,201, -4.10% from previous year)
- 2018: $128,275 (+$6,755, +5.56% from previous year)
- 2019: $137,261 (+$8,986, +7.01% from previous year)
- 2020: $151,899 (+$14,638, +10.66% from previous year)
- 2021: $169,780 (+$17,881, +11.77% from previous year)
- 2022: $188,014 (+$18,234, +10.74% from previous year)
- 2023: $196,374 (+$8,360, +4.45% from previous year)
- 2024: $203,926 (+$7,553, +3.85% from previous year)
- 2025: $205,846 (+$1,919, +0.94% from previous year)
Deal Island’s home values have climbed nearly 60% since 2010, despite a few years of price dips. The town has seen particularly strong growth since 2019, with consistent single-digit and double-digit annual gains through the pandemic years and beyond. As of June 2025, the typical home price in Deal Island stands just over $205,000, still well below Maryland’s statewide median.
Deal Island – A Chesapeake Bay Outpost with Steady Gains
Located in Somerset County, Deal Island is a remote community with deep roots in crabbing and watermen culture. It’s part of a region that has remained off the radar for most homebuyers, which helps explain its relatively low price tag. The town’s isolation may have kept demand modest, but that has slowly changed with an uptick in interest from second-home buyers and retirees looking for a quiet, waterfront retreat.
Deal Island’s home prices show a blend of volatility and long-term appreciation, which may reflect both seasonal demand and occasional flooding concerns. Even so, values have risen consistently since 2018. The area’s charm — along with its affordability — makes it one of the last places on the Eastern Shore where buyers can still find water views at a fraction of the price elsewhere in the state.
20. Marion Station – 83% Home Price Increase Since 2010
- 2010: $106,459
- 2011: $102,709 (-$3,750, -3.52% from previous year)
- 2012: $104,079 (+$1,370, +1.33% from previous year)
- 2013: $105,606 (+$1,527, +1.47% from previous year)
- 2014: $107,010 (+$1,404, +1.33% from previous year)
- 2015: $110,577 (+$3,567, +3.33% from previous year)
- 2016: $113,222 (+$2,645, +2.39% from previous year)
- 2017: $114,611 (+$1,389, +1.23% from previous year)
- 2018: $116,772 (+$2,162, +1.89% from previous year)
- 2019: $123,089 (+$6,317, +5.41% from previous year)
- 2020: $135,087 (+$11,997, +9.75% from previous year)
- 2021: $161,609 (+$26,522, +19.63% from previous year)
- 2022: $180,274 (+$18,665, +11.55% from previous year)
- 2023: $178,644 (-$1,630, -0.90% from previous year)
- 2024: $197,051 (+$18,407, +10.30% from previous year)
- 2025: $194,579 (-$2,473, -1.25% from previous year)
Home prices in Marion Station have nearly doubled since 2010, climbing from just over $106,000 to nearly $195,000. The sharpest gains occurred between 2020 and 2022, with annual increases exceeding 10% in some years. While 2023 and 2025 brought mild declines, the long-term trend remains upward.
Marion Station – Quiet Eastern Shore Living with Big Gains
Marion Station is another Eastern Shore community that’s seen major price appreciation in recent years. Known historically for its strawberry industry, this quiet town now attracts homebuyers seeking privacy, land, and affordability. It’s still one of the cheapest places to buy in Maryland, but that could change if upward trends continue.
Despite being far from job centers, Marion Station has benefited from pandemic-era shifts and remote work flexibility. Home values saw particularly steep jumps in 2021 and 2022. Though recent years have shown more variability, the town’s affordability and rural charm continue to draw interest.
19. Oldtown – 62% Home Price Increase Since 2010
- 2010: $117,656
- 2011: N/A
- 2012: $118,427 (+$771, +0.66% from previous year)
- 2013: $120,215 (+$1,788, +1.51% from previous year)
- 2014: $118,335 (-$1,881, -1.56% from previous year)
- 2015: $125,389 (+$7,055, +5.96% from previous year)
- 2016: $124,236 (-$1,153, -0.92% from previous year)
- 2017: $126,950 (+$2,714, +2.18% from previous year)
- 2018: $129,376 (+$2,426, +1.91% from previous year)
- 2019: $136,674 (+$7,298, +5.64% from previous year)
- 2020: $144,229 (+$7,555, +5.53% from previous year)
- 2021: $164,093 (+$19,865, +13.77% from previous year)
- 2022: $177,965 (+$13,871, +8.45% from previous year)
- 2023: $181,248 (+$3,283, +1.84% from previous year)
- 2024: $180,967 (-$281, -0.15% from previous year)
- 2025: $190,554 (+$9,587, +5.30% from previous year)
Oldtown has seen home values climb more than 60% since 2010. The town experienced steady annual increases, especially from 2015 onward, and more recent years have kept that momentum with only minor volatility. Prices reached nearly $191,000 in 2025, well below state averages but significantly above early-2010s levels.
Oldtown – Appalachian Affordability with Modest Appreciation
Located in Allegany County, Oldtown is nestled near the Potomac River and surrounded by forested hills. Its remote setting has kept prices low, but appreciation in recent years suggests growing interest. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the area’s hiking and biking trails, and its quiet character makes it attractive to retirees and long-distance commuters…