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Cost of Living · Maryland

Baltimore Cost of Living

Baltimore, Maryland costs approximately 5.0% above the US national average. Compare with 99 other major US cities.

1.05×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Baltimore ranks 1 of 1 cities in Maryland by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Baltimore (21)
San Francisco, CA
+38.1% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+28.6% more expensive
New York City, NY
+25.7% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+23.8% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+23.8% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+16.2% more expensive
Boston, MA
+16.2% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+15.2% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+14.3% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+14.3% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+12.4% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+12.4% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+12.4% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+12.4% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+9.5% more expensive
Miami, FL
+6.7% more expensive
Portland, OR
+4.8% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+4.8% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+4.8% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+4.8% more expensive
Denver, CO
+2.9% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Baltimore (72)
Las Vegas, NV
−1.0% cheaper
Minneapolis, MN
−1.0% cheaper
Plano, TX
−1.0% cheaper
Chandler, AZ
−1.0% cheaper
Phoenix, AZ
−2.9% cheaper
Philadelphia, PA
−2.9% cheaper
Atlanta, GA
−2.9% cheaper
Tampa, FL
−2.9% cheaper
Henderson, NV
−2.9% cheaper
Reno, NV
−2.9% cheaper
Gilbert, AZ
−2.9% cheaper
Charleston, SC
−2.9% cheaper
Salt Lake City, UT
−2.9% cheaper
Orlando, FL
−3.8% cheaper
Wilmington, DE
−4.8% cheaper
Raleigh, NC
−4.8% cheaper
Virginia Beach, VA
−4.8% cheaper
St. Paul, MN
−4.8% cheaper
Chesapeake, VA
−4.8% cheaper
North Las Vegas, NV
−4.8% cheaper
Boise, ID
−4.8% cheaper
Fresno, CA
−4.8% cheaper
Worcester, MA
−4.8% cheaper
Dallas, TX
−5.7% cheaper
Nashville, TN
−5.7% cheaper
Colorado Springs, CO
−5.7% cheaper
Bakersfield, CA
−5.7% cheaper
St. Petersburg, FL
−5.7% cheaper
Madison, WI
−5.7% cheaper
Norfolk, VA
−6.7% cheaper
Jacksonville, FL
−7.6% cheaper
Charlotte, NC
−7.6% cheaper
Mesa, AZ
−7.6% cheaper
Houston, TX
−8.6% cheaper
Fort Worth, TX
−8.6% cheaper
Tucson, AZ
−8.6% cheaper
Glendale, AZ
−8.6% cheaper
Garland, TX
−8.6% cheaper
Spokane, WA
−8.6% cheaper
Pittsburgh, PA
−9.5% cheaper
Arlington, TX
−9.5% cheaper
Tallahassee, FL
−9.5% cheaper
Milwaukee, WI
−10.5% cheaper
Albuquerque, NM
−10.5% cheaper
New Orleans, LA
−10.5% cheaper
San Antonio, TX
−11.4% cheaper
Grand Rapids, MI
−11.4% cheaper
Columbus, OH
−12.4% cheaper
Detroit, MI
−12.4% cheaper
Cincinnati, OH
−12.4% cheaper
Kansas City, MO
−12.4% cheaper
Lexington, KY
−12.4% cheaper
Corpus Christi, TX
−12.4% cheaper
Buffalo, NY
−12.4% cheaper
Greensboro, NC
−12.4% cheaper
Knoxville, TN
−12.4% cheaper
El Paso, TX
−13.3% cheaper
Cleveland, OH
−13.3% cheaper
St. Louis, MO
−13.3% cheaper
Winston-Salem, NC
−13.3% cheaper
Indianapolis, IN
−14.3% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−14.3% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−14.3% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−15.2% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−15.2% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−15.2% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−16.2% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−16.2% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−16.2% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−18.1% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−18.1% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−18.1% cheaper

What living in Baltimore costs

Baltimore runs at 1.05x the US national average — 21 of the 99 other metros tracked here cost more, 72 cost less. A one-bedroom goes for about $1,500 a month, or $18,000 a year, and the median home sits near $220,000.

Price-to-rent works out near 12, which is low. Under roughly 15 the arithmetic favours buying over renting for anyone staying more than a few years, because purchase prices are modest relative to local rents.

Working and living here

Baltimore is a metro of roughly 2.8M and losing population, running on healthcare/biotech, port/logistics, higher education. Larger employers include Johns Hopkins University & Hospital, Port of Baltimore, University of Maryland Medical System.

Two tax details that change take-home here: Baltimore levies a local income tax of about 3.20% on top of state and federal — roughly $3,200 a year on a $100,000 salary — and Maryland taxes income as well.

Getting around: Baltimore is served by limited transit. Budget for a car — around $9,000 a year all-in once insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking are counted, a cost the index assumes but does not itemise.

Climate: Humid subtropical/continental transition: January highs near 41°F/lows 26°F, July highs near 88°F/lows 70°F, humid summers.

Baltimore City levies the maximum local income tax allowed under Maryland law (3.2%), stacked on top of the state's graduated income tax; city population has declined for decades even as the metro overall stays roughly stable.

Related tools

Paycheck calculator — take-home after federal, state and local tax. Salary calculator — pay by job and state. Compare against another metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baltimore expensive to live in?▾
Relative to the US average, roughly average — the cost index is 1.05x, above 72 and below 21 of the 99 other metros tracked here. A one-bedroom averages $1,500 a month and the median home $220,000.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Baltimore?▾
A common rule keeps rent under 30% of gross income, which at $1,500 a month implies about $60,000 a year for a one-bedroom, before accounting for the 3.20% local income tax. That is a floor rather than a comfortable figure — it leaves nothing for savings or the car this metro effectively requires.