F
35%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
88%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Kettering Maryland National
Cost of living135119100
Goods & Services117106100
Groceries105106100
Health care11097100
Housing188150100
Transportation10698100
Utilities111111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kettering, MD

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kettering? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kettering stands at 135, making it 35% 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.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Kettering may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Kettering falls within this bracket.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Kettering, 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 88.3% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Kettering, these items will cost you 16.6% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

Is Kettering Affordable?

Is Kettering 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 Kettering, the median home price is 73.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 122.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kettering boasting a median household income of $100,428, 81.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kettering?

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 Kettering, the healthcare costs are 10% higher 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.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Kettering, the transportation index is 5.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Kettering, 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Kettering Area
Search Homes for Sale in Kettering, MD

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kettering is 14% higher than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Kettering is 35% higher than the national average
  • Kettering housing is 88% higher than the national average
  • Maryland general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Maryland state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kettering

See all the best places to live around Kettering

Compare Kettering, MD Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Kettering?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Kettering?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Kettering poll results

      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$101,371$8,448$2,365$3,041
      Renters$78,913$6,576$1,841$2,368
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Kettering is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Kettering has a median income of about $101,371 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,365 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $78,913. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,841 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Kettering National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.31$24.2670.3%
      Beauty Salon $73.33$45.5660.9%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.63$1.2827.4%
      Movie $15.72$12.1329.6%
      Bowling $24.56$18.0036.4%

      Groceries

      Item Kettering National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.72$5.842.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.31$1.5716.5%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $5.15$4.934.5%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $11.41$10.419.6%

      Health Care

      Item Kettering National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.83$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $156.21$135.7815.0%
      Dentist $135.09$113.2919.2%
      Ibuprofen $12.28$10.6515.3%
      Lipitor $426.27$468.609.0%

      Housing

      Item Kettering National avg. Difference
      Home Price $320,800.00$184,700.0073.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,844.08$2,346.69149.0%
      Apartment Rent $2,111.00$949.00122.4%

      Transportation

      Item Kettering National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.37$3.462.7%
      Tire Balancing $75.27$59.9225.6%

      Utilities

      Item Kettering National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.70$193.9917.4%
      Phone $190.71$192.250.8%
      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.
      Belle Haven town, VA5621022.0%
      Cottage City, MD1,1501088.4%
      Silver Hill, MD5,15511414.0%
      Seat Pleasant, MD4,75311414.3%
      Capitol Heights, MD4,50511717.5%
      Kettering, MD13,30213534.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Solana Beach, CA13,301254153.9%
      Saint-Amable, QC13,300n/a 
      Rendon, TX13,29411313.2%
      Superior, CO13,29215858.1%
      Huron, SD13,2898317.1%
      Kettering, MD13,30213534.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.