D+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
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 Westminster Maryland National
Cost of living111119100
Goods & Services103106100
Groceries105106100
Health care9897100
Housing128150100
Transportation10198100
Utilities111111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Westminster, MD

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Westminster 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 Westminster 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 Westminster, 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 28.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Westminster Affordable?

Is Westminster 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 Westminster, the median home price is 30.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 22.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Westminster come in at $64,399, which is 16.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Westminster?

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 Westminster, the groceries index is 4.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Westminster, the utilities index is 11.1% higher 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 Westminster, the transportation index is 1.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Westminster, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Westminster is 6% lower than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Westminster is 11% higher than the national average
  • Westminster housing is 28% 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 Westminster

See all the best places to live around Westminster

Compare Westminster, 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$95,731$7,978$2,234$2,872
      Renters$36,514$3,043$852$1,096
      The affordability of the housing market in Westminster, 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 Westminster homeowners, the median income is $95,731. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,234 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $36,514. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $852 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 Westminster 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 Westminster 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 Westminster 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 Westminster National avg. Difference
      Home Price $241,600.00$184,700.0030.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,906.29$2,346.6918.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,165.00$949.0022.8%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Westminster 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.
      Middleburg, MD01043.9%
      Parkville, PA7,3451021.8%
      Glen Rock, PA2,3321032.5%
      Littlestown, PA4,4941033.0%
      Pennville, PA2,2741033.2%
      Westminster, MD18,64911111.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Central Point, OR18,64811515.5%
      Deux-Montagnes, QC18,650n/a 
      Homewood, IL18,6561010.7%
      Petawawa, ON18,660n/a 
      Cedar Mill, OR18,66116867.9%
      Westminster, MD18,64911111.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.