| Index | Beltsville | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 131 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 106 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 186 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 106 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 111 | 112 | 100 |
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 131, marking it 31% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Beltsville is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Beltsville falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Beltsville cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 85.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Beltsville 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 Beltsville, the median home price is 84.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 88.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Beltsville boasting a median household income of $121,639, 49.6% higher 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 Beltsville, the transportation index stands at 10.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall 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 Beltsville, the groceries index is 5.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Beltsville shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $150,555 | $12,546 | $3,513 | $4,517 |
| Renters | $98,236 | $8,186 | $2,292 | $2,947 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lansdowne, MD | 8,964 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Cottage City, MD | 1,193 | 105 | 5.5% |
| Silver Hill, MD | 5,346 | 132 | 31.6% |
| Seat Pleasant, MD | 4,929 | 132 | 32.1% |
| Arbutus, MD | 19,966 | 114 | 13.8% |
| Beltsville, MD | 18,541 | 131 | 30.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lenoir, NC | 18,535 | 88 | 12.5% |
| Upper Grand Lagoon, FL | 18,531 | 112 | 12.4% |
| Dover, NJ | 18,528 | 121 | 21.0% |
| Canby, OR | 18,522 | 126 | 25.9% |
| Sheridan, WY | 18,519 | 105 | 4.5% |
| Beltsville, MD | 18,541 | 131 | 30.6% |
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