Cost of Living in Hillcrest Heights, MD

Population 15,670 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

111
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Hillcrest Heights is effectively a commuter community: the average resident spends 41 minutes each way getting to work, well above the 27-minute US median. Housing costs ($341,000 for a typical home) tend to reflect the tradeoff between price and access. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.2% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Hillcrest Heights sits roughly 5 miles southeast of Washington — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 53% lower than Washington's $725,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 112
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Hillcrest Heights

The median home value in Hillcrest Heights is $340,500 — 12% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,446/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,696/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 67.8°F and lows of 50.9°F, with about 13.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Hillcrest Heights has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$340,500
12% above avg
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.6x
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 51.2%
Renter-occupied 48.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,446
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,060/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
40.6 min
50% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.5%
Carpooled
3.9%
Public transit
16.1%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
14.8%

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
$77,696
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,213
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
71% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Labor Force Participation
68.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.7%
Graduate degree 12.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.2
Male median age 37
Female median age 43.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.8°F
Avg Low
50.9°F
Annual Precip
41.8"
Annual Snowfall
13.7"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 454857687785908881695849
Low °F 303239485868727164524235
Precip" 2.862.623.503.213.944.204.333.253.933.662.913.41
Snow" 4.95.02.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.11.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
69.3%
Good air days/yr
192
Max AQI recorded
138
PM2.5 days
226
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hillcrest Heights, MD?

Hillcrest Heights has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.

What is average rent in Hillcrest Heights, MD?

The median gross rent in Hillcrest Heights is $1,446 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hillcrest Heights?

The median home value in Hillcrest Heights is $340,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Hillcrest Heights?

The median household income in Hillcrest Heights is $77,696 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hillcrest Heights, MD?

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

Is Hillcrest Heights, MD affordable?

Hillcrest Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Hillcrest Heights?

Hillcrest Heights has average high temperatures of 67.8°F and average lows of 50.9°F. Annual precipitation is 41.8". Average annual snowfall is 13.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Hillcrest Heights at a Glance

Population
15,670
Median Income
$77,696
Home Value
$340,500
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Unemployment
8.2%
Avg High Temp
67.8°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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