D+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
27%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Arbutus Maryland National
Cost of living111119100
Goods & Services103106100
Groceries105106100
Health care9897100
Housing127150100
Transportation10198100
Utilities111111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Arbutus, MD

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Arbutus is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Arbutus is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Arbutus, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 26.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Arbutus Affordable?

Is Arbutus an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Arbutus, the median home price is 30.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 18.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Arbutus come in at $78,598, which is 42.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Arbutus?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Arbutus, healthcare costs are 2.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Arbutus, the transportation index is 1.3% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Arbutus 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Arbutus is 7% lower than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Arbutus is 11% higher than the national average
  • Arbutus housing is 27% higher than the national average
  • Maryland general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Maryland state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Arbutus

See all the best places to live around Arbutus

Compare Arbutus, MD Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$105,526$8,794$2,462$3,166
      Renters$42,998$3,583$1,003$1,290
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Arbutus, MD, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Arbutus, the median monthly income is $105,526 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,462 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $42,998, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,003 on monthly rental expenses.

      Maryland Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Maryland 6% 6%

      Maryland Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Maryland 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.33$24.2616.8%
      Beauty Salon $58.17$45.5627.7%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.44$1.2812.7%
      Movie $13.69$12.1312.9%
      Bowling $23.03$18.0027.9%

      Groceries

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $5.46$4.9310.7%
      Pizza $13.24$12.099.5%
      Beer $10.36$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $114.22$125.689.1%
      Doctor $133.22$135.781.9%
      Dentist $117.22$113.293.5%
      Ibuprofen $11.10$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $401.39$468.6014.3%

      Housing

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      Home Price $240,600.00$184,700.0030.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,906.29$2,346.6918.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,124.00$949.0018.4%

      Transportation

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $62.66$59.924.6%

      Utilities

      Item Arbutus National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.91$193.9915.4%
      Phone $199.62$192.253.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dundalk, MD63,8261021.7%
      Baltimore, MD602,2741022.1%
      Lansdowne, MD8,6351022.4%
      Essex, MD39,3071055.5%
      Baltimore Highlands, MD7,8801077.1%
      Arbutus, MD19,26711110.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mineola, NY19,26716160.5%
      Murray, KY19,2548911.2%
      Syosset, NY19,25418181.1%
      Mamaroneck, NY19,24716766.9%
      Evergreen Park, IL19,2901076.6%
      Arbutus, MD19,26711110.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.