How much does it cost to live in Maryland?
The cost of living in Maryland is more expensive than the national average. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the cost of goods and services in the state is 8.4% more than the national average. Maryland has the sixth-highest overall cost of living when compared to all other states.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
Maryland's median home value is $305,500, which is slightly lower than the national median home value of $450,000. The statewide average price of a home constructed prior to 1939 is $234,300, while the statewide median price of a home constructed in 2014 or later is $462,500.
The average renter in Maryland pays $1,357 per month on housing, $334 more than the national average of $1,024 per month. The average monthly rent for a unit with five or more bedrooms is $2,060, while the average cost for a one-bedroom unit is $1,122.
Here are some stats on Maryland mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 70.7%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 1.2%
- Rental vacancy rate: 6.2%
Childcare
In Maryland, the average yearly cost of childcare for a 4-year-old is $10,001, which is much more than the national average of $8,500. It also costs an average of $16,167 a year to care for a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old, compared to the national average of $15,853.
Here’s a look at the annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $15,335
- 4-year-old: $10,254
- School: $17,883
- College: $9,289
Utilities
The average monthly utility bill in Maryland is $131.16, according to 2017 statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This is roughly $20 over the national average of $111.67, making it the fifth highest monthly rate in the United States.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Maryland spends an average of $3,342 yearly on food, while a family of four spends an average of $9,652. For context, the average national yearly food cost for a single adult is $3,240 and for a family of four it’s $9,354.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant: $15
- Fast food combo (Big Mac etc.): $8.58
- Bottle of Coca-Cola: $2.12
- Bottle of water: $1.29
Groceries in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter): $0.95
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): $2.82
- Rice (1 Kg): $3.81
- Eggs (regular) (12): $3.04
- 4 rolls of toilet paper: $3.58
- Hair shampoo: $4.57
Transportation
82.9% of commuters in Maryland drive to work, compared to 85.5% of commuters nationwide. The average annual distance traveled by a driver in the state is 9,966 miles.
Considering the average fuel economy and average gas prices — in 2020, standard fuel cost an average of $2.28 per gallon in Maryland, meaning the average driver in the state may expect to spend $939 on gas alone in a single year.
According to data from Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance premium in Maryland is $1,684, higher than the national average of $1,517. The average single adult in the state spends $9,296 year on transportation, according to EPI data.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Maryland is $69,249. In general, personal tax rates in Maryland begin at 2% on the first $1000 of taxable income and escalate to a maximum of 5.75% on incomes surpassing $250,000.
Most Expensive Maryland Cities to Live in:
- Potomac
- Bethesda
- Easton
- Annapolis
- Stevensville
Why is disability insurance important to have in Maryland?
As shown by the above cost of living breakdown, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. But sometimes you find yourself unable to work due to some sort of emergency, illness or accident. Whether you are a full-time employee or a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability and peace of mind.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has shown that medical issues caused 62.1% of bankruptcies. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you may no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Maryland are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in Maryland increased by 0.1 per 10,000 households, from 27.6 in the third quarter of 2017 to 27.7 in the fourth quarter. Along with Delaware, Illinois, Nevada, and New Jersey, Maryland remained one of the top five states with the highest foreclosure rates in the nation.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not the top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury? Getting private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable and your income shouldn’t be.
Does Maryland have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Maryland isn’t one of those states.
An estimated 21.5% of the adult population in Maryland has some sort of disability that could qualify them to be eligible for SSDI. These disabilities include difficulties with movement, cognition, independent living, hearing, vision, and self-care.
There are approximately twenty SSA field offices in Maryland where you can apply in person for SSDI. Disability Determination Services (DDS), the state department in Maryland responsible for deciding initial Social Security disability applications, approves only 39% of disability claims at the first application level and 15% at the reconsideration review (the first level of appeal).
What qualifies as disability in Maryland?
f you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Maryland?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Maine. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times. Click here to get a quote, or contact us for any enquiries.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Maryland?
Most insurance policies are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer a variety of disability income insurance policies. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Maryland cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Maryland will cost you $3,000 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
- Asteya’s applications are 100% digital. We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
- Get paid out directly on an approved claim and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
- We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employee to corner office executive, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.