F
32%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
81%
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 Beltsville Maryland National
Cost of living132119100
Goods & Services117106100
Groceries105106100
Health care11097100
Housing181150100
Transportation10698100
Utilities111111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Beltsville, MD

Knowing the cost of living in Beltsville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Beltsville stands at 132, marking it 32% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Beltsville may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Beltsville falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Beltsville, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 81% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In Beltsville, you can expect to pay 16.6% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Beltsville Affordable?

Is Beltsville an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Beltsville is 77.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 90.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Beltsville has a median household income of $81,980, which is 48.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Beltsville?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Beltsville, the transportation index is 5.5% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Beltsville, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Beltsville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Beltsville is 12% higher than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Beltsville is 32% higher than the national average
  • Beltsville housing is 81% 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 Beltsville

See all the best places to live around Beltsville

Compare Beltsville, 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$100,410$8,368$2,343$3,013
      Renters$66,597$5,550$1,554$1,998
      The affordability of the housing market in Beltsville, MD as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Beltsville homeowners, the median income is $100,410. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,343 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $66,597. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,554 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Beltsville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.31$24.2670.3%
      Beauty Salon $73.33$45.5660.9%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.63$1.2827.4%
      Movie $15.72$12.1329.6%
      Bowling $24.56$18.0036.4%

      Groceries

      Item Beltsville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.72$5.842.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.31$1.5716.5%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $5.15$4.934.5%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $11.41$10.419.6%

      Health Care

      Item Beltsville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.83$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $156.21$135.7815.0%
      Dentist $135.09$113.2919.2%
      Ibuprofen $12.28$10.6515.3%
      Lipitor $426.27$468.609.0%

      Housing

      Item Beltsville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $327,100.00$184,700.0077.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,844.08$2,346.69149.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,804.00$949.0090.1%

      Transportation

      Item Beltsville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.37$3.462.7%
      Tire Balancing $75.27$59.9225.6%

      Utilities

      Item Beltsville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.70$193.9917.4%
      Phone $190.71$192.250.8%
      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.
      Lansdowne, MD8,6351022.4%
      Cottage City, MD1,1501088.4%
      Silver Hill, MD5,15511414.0%
      Seat Pleasant, MD4,75311414.3%
      Arbutus, MD19,26711110.7%
      Beltsville, MD17,92213232.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Arroyo Grande, CA17,92416564.6%
      Cary, IL17,92611312.6%
      Sainte-Sophie, QC17,917n/a 
      Lenoir, NC17,9098514.9%
      Palestine, TX17,9068911.0%
      Beltsville, MD17,92213232.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.