Cost of Living in Bel Air South, MD

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bel Air South, MD

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Bel Air South? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Bel Air South stands at 121, making it 21% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Bel Air South is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Bel Air South falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Bel Air South 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 61% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Bel Air South Affordable?

Is Bel Air South affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Bel Air South, the median home price is 69.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 41.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Bel Air South boasting a median household income of $100,824, 82.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bel Air South?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Bel Air South, the healthcare costs are 2.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Bel Air South, the transportation index stands at 1.3% 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 Bel Air South comes in at 11.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Bel Air South 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.