Cost of Living in Ballenger Creek, MD

Population 25,866 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

131
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ballenger Creek is effectively a commuter community: the average resident spends 37 minutes each way getting to work, well above the 27-minute US median. Housing costs ($370,000 for a typical home) tend to reflect the tradeoff between price and access.

Located 30 miles west of Columbia, Ballenger Creek falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 23% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 121
Rent 146

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ballenger Creek

The median home value in Ballenger Creek is $369,800 — 21% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,913/month, 46% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,385/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Ballenger Creek has a cost of living index of 131 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$369,800
21% above avg
Median Rent
$1,913/mo
46% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,407
1 BR
$1,604
2 BR
$1,898
3 BR
$2,407
4 BR
$2,822
Owner-occupied 67.0%
Renter-occupied 33.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,913
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,527/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
36.9 min
37% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.5%
Carpooled
6.5%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
1.1%
Work from home
21.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$108,385
45% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,816
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
24% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Labor Force Participation
72.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.8%
Graduate degree 21.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.4
Male median age 33.1
Female median age 35.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
72%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
232
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ballenger Creek, MD?

Ballenger Creek has a cost index of 131 (100 = national average). It is 31% above the national average.

What is average rent in Ballenger Creek, MD?

The median gross rent in Ballenger Creek is $1,913 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ballenger Creek?

The median home value in Ballenger Creek is $369,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Ballenger Creek?

The median household income in Ballenger Creek is $108,385 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ballenger Creek, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ballenger Creek is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Ballenger Creek, MD affordable?

Ballenger Creek is above average in cost of living, with an index of 131 — about 31% higher than the national average.

Ballenger Creek at a Glance

Population
25,866
Median Income
$108,385
Home Value
$369,800
Median Rent
$1,913/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Maryland

Explore county-level cost of living data

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