| Index | South Laurel | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 129 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 182 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 109 | 112 | 100 |
The cost of living in South Laurel affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in South Laurel is 129, which is 29% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in South Laurel is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, South Laurel falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the South Laurel cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 82.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is South Laurel 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 South Laurel, the median home price is 90.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 61.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South Laurel boasting a median household income of $116,315, 43% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In South Laurel, the utilities index registers 4.4% higher than the national average.
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 South Laurel, the healthcare costs are 7.5% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in South Laurel, is 82.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for South Laurel are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $182,174 | $15,181 | $4,250 | $5,466 |
| Renters | $81,651 | $6,804 | $1,905 | $2,450 |
| 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% |
| Brooklyn Park, MD | 15,648 | 113 | 13.3% |
| Seat Pleasant, MD | 4,929 | 132 | 32.1% |
| Arbutus, MD | 19,966 | 114 | 13.8% |
| South Laurel, MD | 28,393 | 129 | 28.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Westport, CT | 28,385 | 221 | 120.6% |
| Marion, IN | 28,405 | 82 | 17.7% |
| Fort Saskatchewan, AB | 28,368 | n/a | |
| Woolwich, ON | 28,438 | n/a | |
| Tualatin, OR | 28,448 | 138 | 38.2% |
| South Laurel, MD | 28,393 | 129 | 28.9% |
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