B+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
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 Laurel Virginia National
Cost of living106109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing117130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Laurel, VA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Laurel? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Laurel stands at 106, making it 6% 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.

The cost of living in Laurel closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Laurel can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Laurel Affordable?

Is Laurel 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 Laurel, for instance, where the median home price falls 13.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 25.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Laurel flaunting a median household income of $57,307, 3.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Laurel?

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 Laurel, the healthcare costs are 4.4% 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 Laurel, the transportation index stands at 0.3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including 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 offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Laurel 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Laurel is 3% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Laurel is 6% higher than the national average
  • Laurel housing is 17% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Laurel

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Compare Laurel, VA 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$79,205$6,600$1,848$2,376
      Renters$43,997$3,666$1,027$1,320
      The affordability of the housing market in Laurel, VA 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 Laurel homeowners, the median income is $79,205. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,848 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $43,997. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,027 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Home Price $209,700.00$184,700.0013.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,190.00$949.0025.4%

      Transportation

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      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.
      Montrose, VA7,639946.2%
      Bensley, VA6,044964.0%
      Sandston, VA6,833972.7%
      Highland Springs, VA15,000982.0%
      East Highland Park, VA16,499981.8%
      Laurel, VA17,6781065.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Maryland City, MD17,68112827.5%
      Tallmadge, OH17,681954.9%
      Knik-Fairview, AK17,68212423.7%
      Spanish Lake, MO17,6828515.2%
      Alton, TX17,6838019.8%
      Laurel, VA17,6781065.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.