Eh, I know someone who lives in Laurel, and yeah the rent is just so high. Moving closer to DC makes it even worse.
I'd recommend roommates. Depending on where exactly you are, there might be UMBC students looking to share a house somewhere. If you're looking further south, try in/around College Park - also plenty of students looking to split housing though that area is weirdly expensive too. Grad students tend to be more mature/respectful roommates. Depending on where your GF is, it might also put you closer to her. That might make commuting more difficult (especially if you need to touch the black hole that is 495), but it is up to you if it's "worth it".
Of course, parts of Baltimore are probably cheapest - I lived at $28k/year fairly comfortably there for awhile, splitting a house for $500/month, all utilities included. You can live in Mt. Vernon, near Penn station and take the MARC/Metro/Bus into DC, and split rent with MICA, Hopkins, or UMB students. It sounds like you're work is not near a metro stop, though, and those all inclusive passes do cost a pretty penny - so much so that it might make more sense to drive.
Also $1700/month at your yearly salary is really low. At 30k in Maryland, you should be pulling in a little over 2k per month. Ask your employer if you can check your W-4 form to see how many exemptions you have claimed. They are likely withholding WAY too much. (Though if you pay taxes to DC, maybe the rates are slightly different?) Still worth checking.