Virginia

Here's how much it costs to live comfortably in Virginia, Maryland

Published

1 month ago

June 11, 2025

Here's how much it costs to live comfortably in Virginia, Maryland

WASHINGTON – If you’re living in Virginia or Maryland and feeling the squeeze on your wallet, you’re not alone. A new 2025 study from SmartAsset reveals that both states are among the top 10 in the nation where residents need the highest salaries to live comfortably—a reflection of the region’s rising costs and high expectations for quality of life.

By the numbers:

The SmartAsset analysis, which uses the popular 50/30/20 budget rule (allocating 50% of income to necessities, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings or debt), found that the salary needed to live comfortably has jumped significantly across the country. On average, a single adult now needs about $5,844 more than last year to maintain a sustainable budget, while a family of four needs an extra $9,360.

In 2025, here’s what it takes to live comfortably in our region:

Maryland:

Single adult: $108,867

Family of four: $259,168

Virginia:

Single adult: $106,704

Family of four: $241,696

Both states saw notable year-over-year increases, with Maryland’s required salary for singles rising by 5.78% and Virginia’s by 6.74%. For families of four, the increase was 8.23% in Maryland and 2.76% in Virginia.

Why you should care:

The DMV region’s high salaries are driven by a combination of expensive housing, transportation, healthcare and other essentials. Proximity to Washington, D.C., and a robust job market—especially in government, tech and healthcare—pushes wages higher, but so do the costs of living.

SmartAsset’s data, drawn from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, reflects these realities. Even as wages rise, so too do the costs of everyday life, making it harder for residents to get ahead or save for the future.

Maryland and Virginia aren’t alone at the top. Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, Washington and New Jersey rank before Maryland and Virginia in cost of living, also requiring six-figure incomes for singles to live comfortably. Hawaii tops the list with a whopping $123,467.20 income needed for a single adult to live comfortably, with Massachusetts not far behind with an income of $120,140.80.

Big picture view:

The study defines “living comfortably” as being able to cover not just basic needs like housing and groceries, but also having enough for hobbies, vacations, retirement savings, education funds and the occasional emergency. In other words, it’s not just about survival—it’s about having a little breathing room.

As the cost of living continues to climb, residents in Virginia and Maryland must earn more than ever just to keep up. For policymakers, employers, and families alike, these numbers are a wake-up call: in the DMV, comfort comes at a premium.

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Virginia

Why you should visit New Kent County this summer

Published

11 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Press Room

Why you should visit New Kent County this summer

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — If you’re looking for a day trip or weekend staycation, New Kent County could fit the bill.

“New Kent is known as one of the fastest-growing communities in the state of Virginia and one of the top ten in the nation,” said Lindsay Hurt, the county’s Director of Economic Development & Tourism.

About 30 minutes from Richmond, New Kent County offers a number of activities for families this summer.

“We have really great wineries, a brewery, we have Colonial Downs — which is the only thoroughbred horse track in the state of Virginia — we have premiere golf courses and also nature preserves,” said Hurt. “So we’re a really great place to come and visit and explore.”

The equine industry is an important part of the county. In fact, a horse is the first thing featured on the county’s logo.

“Colonial Downs and the horse track itself has been a staple in New Kent since its reopening in 2019,” said Hurt. “We’ve seen a large interest and growth from not only residents and locals that live around the different regions, but from people all across the country and even visitors we have come from all over the world.”

The live racing season at Colonial Downs is underway now through September 13. There are specials and Family Fun events every week. Click here for more details.

And while you plan your day at the track, be sure to check out everything the area has to offer. Click here for a calendar of things to do in New Kent County.

“We want folks to come and visit and get to experience time to build memories and have some time with friends and family,” said Hurt. “It’s a really great place to put devices down, to have one-on-one time, connect and be outside and enjoy some of the natural beauty that we have to offer in New Kent.”

Colonial Downs Racetrack is located at 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent, VA 23124. Give them a call at (804) 557-5684 or click here to visit their website.

{*THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY COLONIAL DOWNS*}

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Virginia

New “Blue Envelope” program in Virginia aims to ease traffic stops for drivers with autism

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Press Room

New “Blue Envelope” program in Virginia aims to ease traffic stops for drivers with autism

A new initiative across Virginia is working to make traffic stops less stressful for people on the autism spectrum.

It’s called the Blue Envelope Program, and it’s now available at DMV customer service centers statewide. The envelope is designed to help bridge communication gaps between drivers with autism and law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

The program is voluntary, free of charge and doesn’t require any paperwork or proof of diagnosis.

Drivers are encouraged to keep their license, registration and insurance card in the envelope. The envelope also contains tips and guidance for both the driver and the officer.

For drivers, it offers reminders like:

Say “I have a Blue Envelope” during a stop.
Stay calm and hand the envelope to the officer.
If something is unclear, it’s okay to ask for it to be repeated.

For law enforcement, the outside of the envelope includes suggestions to help create a calmer, more understanding interaction — like using clear, direct language and allowing extra time for the person to respond.

Traffic stops can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for people with autism who may react differently to stress, loud noises or sudden changes. The Blue Envelope acts as a signal to officers that the person they’re interacting with may communicate in a different way — and that a little extra patience can go a long way.

Anyone can pick up a Blue Envelope at a Virginia DMV customer service center — no questions asked. The program is confidential and meant to empower drivers and their families to be better prepared for the unexpected.

The program’s goal is to reduce anxiety, improve communication and ultimately keep everyone safer during high-pressure situations.

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Virginia

Southwest, Central Virginia Weather | 6:45 a.m. – July 8, 2025

Published

4 days ago

July 8, 2025

Press Room

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At WSLS, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.

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