A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
39%
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 Cumberland Maryland National
Cost of living85119100
Goods & Services95106100
Groceries96106100
Health care9297100
Housing61150100
Transportation9498100
Utilities94111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Cumberland, MD

Knowing the cost of living in Cumberland 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 Cumberland stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Cumberland?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 14 residents in Cumberland to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 14% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 86% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Cumberland Affordable?

Is Cumberland 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 Cumberland is 43.6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Cumberland has a median household income of $40,888, which is 26.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cumberland?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Cumberland, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates kick off at 2%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Cumberland, the groceries index is 3.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Cumberland 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 Cumberland is 28% lower than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Cumberland is 15% lower than the national average
  • Cumberland housing is 39% lower 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 Cumberland

See all the best places to live around Cumberland

Compare Cumberland, 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$63,429$5,286$1,480$1,903
      Renters$22,413$1,868$523$672
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Cumberland, 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 Cumberland, the median monthly income is $63,429 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,480 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $22,413, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $523 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 Cumberland National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.44$24.2621.4%
      Beauty Salon $49.17$45.567.9%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.5%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.4%
      Bowling $17.17$18.004.6%

      Groceries

      Item Cumberland National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.63$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.2%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $5.49$4.9311.3%
      Pizza $11.17$12.097.6%
      Beer $10.15$10.412.5%

      Health Care

      Item Cumberland National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.67$125.680.8%
      Doctor $137.65$135.781.4%
      Dentist $100.44$113.2911.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.20$10.654.3%
      Lipitor $375.63$468.6019.8%

      Housing

      Item Cumberland National avg. Difference
      Home Price $104,200.00$184,700.0043.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,880.59$2,346.6919.9%
      Apartment Rent $693.00$949.0027.0%

      Transportation

      Item Cumberland National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $47.54$59.9220.7%

      Utilities

      Item Cumberland National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $178.61$193.997.9%
      Phone $185.45$192.253.5%
      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.
      Oldtown, MD30955.2%
      Ocean, MD0955.2%
      Green Spring, WV71955.2%
      Detmold, MD256955.2%
      Clarysville, MD40955.2%
      Cumberland, MD19,4958515.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Salmon Arm, BC19,494n/a 
      Lake Forest, IL19,49718181.1%
      Salmon Creek, WA19,50612828.2%
      Franconia, VA19,47814443.6%
      Montgomery, IL19,51511010.4%
      Cumberland, MD19,4958515.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.