In Salisbury you’ll find living costs about 9.5% below the U.S. average, with one‑bedroom rent around $1,270 and typical single‑renter essentials near $4,239/month. Utilities and telecom run a bit high — energy about 10% above national levels — while groceries are roughly 5% cheaper. Transportation and healthcare are slightly below national norms, and a comfortable pre‑tax salary for a single adult is about $50,868/year. Keep going to see detailed breakdowns and budgeting tips.
Cost of Living Snapshot for Salisbury Residents
Overall, living in Salisbury costs you noticeably less than the U.S. average — about 9.5% lower citywide and roughly 11% lower if you rent. That data-driven snapshot shows the cost of living advantage: average rent in Salisbury runs about $1,268–$1,270 for a one‑bedroom, roughly 22–28% below the national $1,629.
For a single renter, estimated basic monthly expenses total about $4,239, with housing in Salisbury averaging $1,666, groceries $659, Salisbury utilities $394, transportation $379, and healthcare $132. Using those figures, the recommended pre-tax annual salary to live comfortably is about $50,868 (≈$4,239/month).
These numbers align with indices compiled by the Council for Community and Economic Research and give you a concise budget framework: compare your current spending to the category breakdown, prioritize housing and utilities, and adjust groceries or transport to hit that pre-tax annual salary target. This snapshot helps you plan monthly expenses realistically.
Housing Costs: Renting Vs Buying
The cost snapshot gives you a quick sense of monthly needs; now compare renting and buying to see which fits your budget and lifestyle. Salisbury rent is below national norms: average rent per month runs about $1,268–$1,270, with one‑bedroom rent near $1,270. Use these data points to weigh mortgage vs rent.
The cost snapshot outlines monthly needs—Salisbury rents average around $1,270, helping you weigh renting versus buying.
- Rent stability: rental ranges show most listings $1,501–$2,000 (50%) and $1,001–$1,500 (23%); studios ~$1,353, two‑bedrooms ~$1,565, three‑bedrooms ~$1,857+.
- Buying entry: median home price and home purchase prices average $391k–$394k, with single‑family $270k–$350k, townhouses $220k–$260k, condos $160k–$200k.
- Monthly cost comparison: example owner monthly housing cost ~$1,767 vs renter example ~$1,666, so mortgage-backed ownership can be competitive.
- Affordability: affordable housing guideline suggests earning ~$50,796/year (~$4,233/month) to keep rent under 30% in a clear cost of living comparison.
Monthly Utilities and Telecom Expenses
Because energy costs push local rates above the national norm, expect your basic utilities in Salisbury to run a bit higher than elsewhere: households typically pay about $100–$150 for electricity, $50–$80 for natural gas, $40–$60 for water and sewer, and a combined energy/utility total of roughly $226–$250 per month for a family of four.
You’ll see monthly utilities in Salisbury average around $226.02 for energy plus phone costs near $189.30, so utilities per month including telecom push the household bill substantially higher than the energy-only figure.
The Cost of Living Index (C2ER) factors these local utility and telecom rates into housing cost comparisons, showing Salisbury utilities run roughly 5% above U.S. averages, driven by energy costs about 10% above national levels.
Internet service typically adds $60–$120, while phone costs average ~$189–$190 monthly.
Plan your budget accordingly: expect higher utilities and telecom to be a consistent component of your average monthly living cost in Salisbury.
Grocery and Food Price Breakdown
Look to Salisbury if you want groceries that run a bit below national prices—overall food costs are about 5% cheaper, with common items like a gallon of milk at roughly $4.48 and a dozen eggs about $2.98.
You’ll find Salisbury groceries offer predictable, wallet-friendly options: ground beef per pound sits around $6.89–$6.97, steak price averages $15.51, bread cost is about $3.76–$3.77, and coffee price typically runs $5.00–$5.20.
Salisbury grocery prices stay steady and affordable—ground beef ~$6.90/lb, steak ~$15.50, bread ~$3.76, coffee ~$5.00–$5.20.
- Estimate your monthly grocery cost: single renters ~$659, homeowners ~$1,307.
- Plan family meals: grocery budget for family of four typically $600–$800/month.
- Shop protein and staples: meat and bread prices favor consistent meal planning.
- Track incidental items: coffee and pantry goods slightly vary but stay near local averages.
You can use these food prices and the data-driven monthly figures to build a tight, realistic grocery budget that matches Salisbury’s market.
Transportation, Healthcare, and Everyday Services
Generally, you’ll find getting around Salisbury and caring for everyday needs costs a bit less than the national average, with transportation about 3.0% cheaper and healthcare roughly 7.8% below U.S. norms. You’ll pay gasoline per gallon around $3.25–$3.50, and monthly commuting costs run about $379 for renters and $798 for homeowners. Public transit fares (Shore Transit) are ~$3 one-way or ~$50 monthly, and typical commute times fall between 15–25 minutes.
| Category | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Primary care doctor visit | $148.88 |
| Dentist appointment | $98.00 |
| Optometrist check-up | $125.00 |
| Auto insurance per year | $1,200–$1,500 |
Vehicle maintenance and services (tire balance ~$56–$57.50, washer repair ~$74.17) are modestly lower. Goods and services prices run about 5.9% below national levels — movie tickets ~$11.38, haircuts ~$19.50 — though some vet and specialty services can be pricier.
Recommended Income and Budgeting Tips
Plan your budget around housing first, since rent or mortgage will make up the biggest slice of your spending in Salisbury; to keep housing at or below 30% of income given average rent near $1,270/month you’d need about $4,233/month (roughly $50,796/year) in pre-tax earnings.
Plan your budget around housing first — with average rent near $1,270, aim for about $50.8K/year.
Use that as your baseline for recommended income and housing affordability, then layer in monthly expenses and buffers.
- Calculate essentials: base monthly expenses average ~$4,239 for renters (housing $1,666; groceries $659; utilities $394; transportation $379; healthcare $132) to set realistic monthly expenses.
- Match salary to cost of living: a single adult’s comfortable pre-tax salary ~ $50,868/year aligns with rent‑affordability guidance.
- Include utilities detail: energy ~ $226/month plus phone ~$189/month when evaluating affordability.
- Plan for homeowners: expect much higher totals (~$7,657/month), so raise your recommended income target accordingly.
These budgeting tips keep decisions data-driven and practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Cost of Living in Salisbury, Maryland?
Salisbury’s cost of living’s lower than average; you’ll face moderate housing trends, reasonable grocery prices, slightly higher utility costs, manageable commute times, local taxes, healthcare access, childcare availability, entertainment options, solid internet speeds, and seasonal expenses to budget.
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Salisbury NC?
Want to live affordably near coastlines and small‑city calm? You’ll find housing trends, local taxes, utility expenses, transportation costs, grocery prices, healthcare access, childcare fees, entertainment options, neighborhood safety, and employment wages all slightly below national averages.
How Much Does It Cost to Live Each Month?
You’ll spend roughly $4,239 monthly as a renter: utility bills, grocery shopping, internet services, healthcare expenses, public transit, entertainment options, pet care, childcare costs, clothing purchases, gym memberships all fit within that practical, data-driven estimate.
Is Salisbury, MD an Affordable Place to Live?
Yes — you’ll find Salisbury affordable overall: lower housing supply and rents, decent job market, school quality varies, moderate crime rates, short commute times, good healthcare access, higher utility costs, reasonable local taxes, active community events and recreation options.
Conclusion
You’ll likely be surprised that rent for a one-bedroom in Salisbury averages about 20% less than the national median — a concrete savings that can free up roughly $300 monthly for savings, debt repayment, or extras. That gap shows Salisbury isn’t just affordable; it gives you real discretionary power. Use that advantage: budget rent at 30% of income, track utilities and groceries, and aim to save at least $300 each month to build stability.
