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Right now across Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the tractors are rolling, fields are being planted, and students are getting excited for the end of the school year. There is a quieter reality unfolding for Eastern Shore workers. Thousands of working families are struggling to afford basic necessities, even while holding steady jobs.
They are known as ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. According to the latest State of ALICE in Maryland report, 39% of households statewide are living below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they cannot afford the basic cost of living. On the Eastern Shore, where wages tend to be lower and resources more limited, that struggle is often even more pronounced.
ALICE families are not unemployed. They are the backbone of the Eastern Shore economy—working in health care, hospitality, agriculture, retail, and education. They are home health aides caring for older adults, restaurant workers serving seasonal crowds, and childcare providers supporting working parents. Yet many of these essential workers earn less than what it actually costs to live here.
In 2023, the basic survival budget in Maryland reached nearly $100,000 a year for a family of four, far beyond what many Shore-based jobs pay. Even two full-time workers can fall short, especially when faced with rising housing, transportation, and child care costs. For families living paycheck to paycheck, even a minor emergency—a car repair, a medical bill, or a reduction in work hours—can trigger a financial crisis.
While financial hardship exists across the state, the Eastern Shore faces distinct challenges. Transportation is one of them. With limited public transit options, many residents rely on personal vehicles to get to work, school, and medical appointments—adding significant costs. Housing, too, is increasingly out of reach, with many families spending a large portion of their income just to keep a roof overhead.
The report shows that in some Maryland counties, particularly rural ones, more than half of households fall below the ALICE Threshold. On the Shore, this reality is often hidden in plain sight—behind steady employment and modest homes. ALICE is not a single demographic—it cuts across age, race, and family type. But some groups on the Eastern Shore face higher risks:
In fact, statewide data shows that 70% of single-mother households with children are below the ALICE Threshold, highlighting how fragile financial stability can be for families with only one income. When nearly four in ten households struggle, the impact reaches beyond individual families. It affects local businesses, schools, health systems, and the broader economy.
ALICE households spend most of what they earn just to survive. If those families had enough income to cover basic needs, the report estimates billions of dollars would flow back into local economies through spending and taxes—strengthening communities across Maryland, including the Shore. For a region that depends heavily on small businesses and local labor, that kind of stability could be transformative.
One of the greatest challenges is visibility. ALICE families often do not qualify for traditional assistance, yet they are far from financially secure. They are neighbors, coworkers, and community members who appear stable—but are living one setback away from hardship. Addressing this issue will require coordinated effort: expanding access to affordable housing, supporting child care, improving wages, and investing in transportation and rural infrastructure.
On the Eastern Shore, where community ties run deep, recognizing the reality of ALICE is an important first step. Because behind the statistics are families doing everything they can to stay afloat—and a region that depends on their success.
Shore Legal Access is working to raise awareness about ALICE and the struggles of working families alongside community organizations and leaders from across the region in partnership with United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. SLA’s executive director, Meredith Girard, and dozens of others will be rappelling down the 14-story Ross Building in Salisbury on May 8, 2026 as part of the Over the Edge fundraiser. To help Shore Legal Access send Meredith Over the Edge go to: https://givebutter.com/OTE2026/shore-legal-access/meredithgirard
