| Index | Baltimore | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 113 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 124 | 112 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Baltimore? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Baltimore stands at 108, making it 8% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Baltimore aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Baltimore residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 38 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Baltimore. The results indicated that 42% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 58% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Baltimore affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Baltimore, the median home price is 6.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 12.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Baltimore boasting a median household income of $77,361, 4.9% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Baltimore comes in at 13% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Baltimore, the transportation index stands at 12.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Baltimore, healthcare costs are 13.1% higher than the national average.
The Baltimore cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $108,424 | $9,035 | $2,530 | $3,253 |
| Renters | $53,387 | $4,449 | $1,246 | $1,602 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dundalk, MD | 65,241 | 106 | 5.9% |
| Lansdowne, MD | 8,964 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Essex, MD | 40,724 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Prince George's County), MD | 8,071 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Parkville, MD | 31,074 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 108 | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Louisville, KY | 639,172 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 662,341 | 118 | 17.6% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 101 | 1.0% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 671,652 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 108 | 7.9% |
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