F
44%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
132%
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 Kemp Mill Maryland National
Cost of living144119100
Goods & Services109106100
Groceries108106100
Health care9797100
Housing232150100
Transportation9598100
Utilities110111100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kemp Mill, MD

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kemp Mill? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kemp Mill stands at 144, making it 44% 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.

The cost of living in Kemp Mill 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, Kemp Mill 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 Kemp Mill 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 132% 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 Kemp Mill Affordable?

Wondering if Kemp Mill 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 Kemp Mill, for example, the median home price is 142.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 107.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kemp Mill boasting a median household income of $126,447, which is 128.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kemp Mill?

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 Kemp Mill, the utilities index is 10.2% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Kemp Mill, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.

Where is the Data From?

The Kemp Mill cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kemp Mill is 21% higher than the Maryland average
  • The cost of living in Kemp Mill is 44% higher than the national average
  • Kemp Mill housing is 132% 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 Kemp Mill

See all the best places to live around Kemp Mill

Compare Kemp Mill, MD Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Kemp Mill?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Kemp Mill?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Kemp Mill 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$139,320$11,610$3,251$4,180
      Renters$89,869$7,489$2,097$2,696
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Kemp Mill, MD, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Kemp Mill have a median income of $139,320. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,251 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $89,869, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $2,097.

      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 Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.11$24.267.6%
      Beauty Salon $70.08$45.5653.8%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.51$1.2817.9%
      Movie $15.69$12.1329.3%
      Bowling $24.83$18.0038.0%

      Groceries

      Item Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.24$5.846.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.49$4.9311.3%
      Pizza $12.56$12.093.9%
      Beer $11.10$10.416.6%

      Health Care

      Item Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.00$125.6826.8%
      Doctor $135.03$135.780.5%
      Dentist $117.67$113.293.9%
      Ibuprofen $11.52$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $403.79$468.6013.8%

      Housing

      Item Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      Home Price $447,700.00$184,700.00142.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,819.29$2,346.69105.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,973.00$949.00107.9%

      Transportation

      Item Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.25$3.466.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.00$59.921.5%

      Utilities

      Item Kemp Mill National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.47$193.9914.7%
      Phone $197.37$192.252.7%
      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.
      Wakefield town, VA810954.6%
      Cottage City, MD1,1501088.4%
      Silver Hill, MD5,15511414.0%
      Seat Pleasant, MD4,75311414.3%
      Capitol Heights, MD4,50511717.5%
      Kemp Mill, MD14,81214444.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Jacksonville, TX14,8098613.8%
      Gaspé, QC14,815n/a 
      Eggertsville, NY14,806927.6%
      Winkler, MB14,804n/a 
      Bluffdale, UT14,80214040.2%
      Kemp Mill, MD14,81214444.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.