| Index | Hillcrest Heights | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 113 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 134 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 115 | 112 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Hillcrest Heights can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Hillcrest Heights cost of living index is 113, which is 13% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Hillcrest Heights 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 33.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Wondering if Hillcrest Heights is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Hillcrest Heights, for example, the median home price is 35.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 30.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Hillcrest Heights boasting a median household income of $100,785, which is 23.9% 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 Hillcrest Heights, the transportation index stands at 9.2% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Hillcrest Heights, the groceries index is 0.7% higher than the national average.
The Hillcrest Heights cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $121,461 | $10,122 | $2,834 | $3,644 |
| Renters | $78,114 | $6,510 | $1,823 | $2,344 |
| 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. |
| Cedarville, MD | 599 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA | 731 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA | 2,334 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Belle Haven town, VA | 578 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Hillcrest Heights, MD | 16,890 | 113 | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Menomonie, WI | 16,888 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Dyersburg, TN | 16,887 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Washington, IL | 16,894 | 100 | 0.0% |
| Heber, UT | 16,894 | 124 | 24.0% |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 16,884 | 93 | 7.3% |
| Hillcrest Heights, MD | 16,890 | 113 | 13.3% |
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