An Overview of Cost of Living in Accokeek, MD
Understanding the cost of living in Accokeek can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Accokeek cost of living index is 137, which is 37% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Accokeek may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Accokeek falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Accokeek cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 101.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Accokeek, you you will have to spend 10.2% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Accokeek is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 12.6% higher than the national average.
Is Accokeek Affordable?
Is Accokeek affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Accokeek, for instance, where the median home price falls 111.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 78.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Accokeek flaunting a median household income of $133,992, 142.2% higher than the national norm.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Accokeek?
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Accokeek, the transportation index is 10.7% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Accokeek comes in at 0.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Accokeek, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
Where is the Data From?
The Accokeek cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.