Frederick County, Maryland is a beautiful and historic place to live. But it's also an expensive place to live. The cost of living in Frederick County is higher than the national average, and housing prices are particularly high.

So, how much do you need to earn to be able to afford to live in Frederick County?

The answer depends on your individual circumstances, but here's a general overview. Figures are for working adults, 40 hours per week:

• Single person: A single person will need to earn at least $22.31 per hour to live comfortably in Frederick County. This will cover the cost of rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other expenses.
• Couple without children: A couple without children will need to earn at least $16.10 EACH per hour to live comfortably in Frederick County. This will cover the cost of rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other expenses.
• Couple with one child: A couple with one child will need to earn at least $22.41 EACH per hour to live comfortably in Frederick County. This will cover the cost of rent, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, and other expenses.
• Couple with two children: A couple with two children will need to earn at least $27.99 EACH per hour to live comfortably in Frederick County. This will cover the cost of rent, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, and other expenses.

Here is a breakdown of some of the major expenses you can expect to incur in Frederick County:

• Housing: The cost of housing is one of the biggest expenses in Frederick County. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,200 per month. If you want to buy a home, you will need to have a down payment of at least 20% and be prepared to pay a mortgage of at least $2,000 per month.
• Transportation: The cost of transportation is also relatively high in Frederick County. The average cost of gas is $3.50 per gallon, and the cost of public transportation is about $1.75 per ride.
• Food: A single person with no children can expect to spend around $4000 per year on food. A family of four averages about $10,000 per year.  These costs can vary depending on how often you eat out and whether you live in a "food desert" (i.e., limited access to a affordable fresh food.
• Utilities: On average, Frederick County residents spend approximately $440 per month on electricity, water, and gas. These costs can vary depending on your municipality.
• Other expenses: Other expenses, such as childcare and health insurance, can vary depending on your individual needs. However, you can expect to spend at least $21,000 per year on child care expenses for two children and between $3000 and $9000 per year on medical costs.

To be eligible for government assistance, a single person must not make more than $20, 120 per year, which is about $10 per hour. Minimum wage is $13.25 per hour, so already a single person working full time at minimum wage will make too much to receive most forms of government assistance, but not nearly enough to be able to meet their basic needs in Frederick County. The numbers are worse for families. This is the ALICE line we talk about so often -- Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed.

A living wage isn't just a political buzzword. It's a basic human necessity.

At Seton Center, we do what we can to assist individuals who fall at or below the ALICE line in creating a more sustainable life for themselves and their families. If you need immediate assistance, please fill out a request for assistance. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay apprised of upcoming events.

*statistics taken from https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/24021 and https://www.peoples-law.org/federal-poverty-guidelines