Rows tagged local are specific to Halfway (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Hagerstown, MD. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.4
metro-area
#95 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.1
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.43
metro-area
#95 of 200 metros
Median household income
$73,199
local
#2081 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$39,739
local
#2159 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.4 years
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
23.5%
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.4%
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
71.0%
metro-area
#31 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.51%
local
#757 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-7.4%
local
#3105 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$235,600
local
#890 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.2×
local
#936 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.6%
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$124
local
#843 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,059
local
#569 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
945
Median days on market
11
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.3%
state
#144 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#130 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.79%
local
#1040 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,864
local
#567 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
73.9 years
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
state
#139 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.4%
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
49
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#150 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$135
state
#121 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#1033 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
77.4%
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
41.4%
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
22.1¢/kWh
state
#156 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$199
state
#156 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$88
state
#181 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$106
state
#109 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#129 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#47 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
66.3 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#8 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,200
metro-area
#104 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,600
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
14
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
27°F
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
45.0"
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
19.3"
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
450
state
#134 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.