Cost of Living in La Vale, MD

Population 4,388 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

62
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in La Vale stay well under national norms: a median home value of $171,000 against median household incomes of $77,634 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Maryland. An unemployment rate of 2.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, La Vale is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in La Vale

The median home value in La Vale is $171,300 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $923/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,634/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, 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, La Vale has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$171,300
44% below avg
Median Rent
$923/mo
30% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5x
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 85.7%
Renter-occupied 14.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$923
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,537/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
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.4%
Carpooled
4.7%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
13.4%

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
$77,634
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,852
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
41% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Labor Force Participation
62.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.0%
Graduate degree 14.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.2
Male median age 40.7
Female median age 47.9

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in La Vale, MD?

La Vale has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in La Vale, MD?

The median gross rent in La Vale is $923 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in La Vale?

The median home value in La Vale is $171,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in La Vale?

The median household income in La Vale is $77,634 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in La Vale, MD?

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

Is La Vale, MD affordable?

Yes, La Vale is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

La Vale at a Glance

Population
4,388
Median Income
$77,634
Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$923/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
6.0%
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