Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD is
11.8% Higher
than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD increase in 2024? Baltimore, MD area prices were up 1.5% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Baltimore, Maryland    Baltimore (/ˈbɔːltɪmɔːr/) is the largest city in the state of Maryland within the United States. Baltimore was established by the Constitution of Mary....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Maryland's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $15 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Baltimore, MD

Cost of Living Calculator



Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
+ 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 53.1%
City, State New York, NY Compared to national average
+ 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
+ 7.0%

Cost of Living Baltimore, MD by Expense Category

Category Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy Compared to national average
-8.5%
CategoryFood Compared to national average
-27.9%
CategoryHealthcare Compared to national average
-24.7%
CategoryHousing Compared to national average
-5.4%
CategoryTransportation Compared to national average
-13.6%

Cost of Living Comparison with Baltimore, MD

If you move to Baltimore from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.


Move From Move To Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-74.7%
Move FromWashington, DC Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-33.3%
Move FromMiami, FL Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-3.5%
Move FromChicago, IL Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-0.6%
Move FromBoston, MA Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-41.3%
Move FromNew York, NY Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
-65.2%
Move FromDallas, TX Move ToBaltimore, MD Cost Of Living Comparision
+ 4.8%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.


About Baltimore, MD

Baltimore (/ˈbɔːltɪmɔːr/) is the largest city in the state of Maryland within the United States. Baltimore was established by the Constitution of Maryland as an independent city in 1729. With a population of 611,648 in 2017, Baltimore is the largest such independent city in the United States. As of 2017[update], the population of the Baltimore metropolitan area was estimated to be just under 2.808 million, making it the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country. Baltimore is located about 40 miles (60 km) northeast of Washington, D.C., making it a principal city in the Washington-Baltimo...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia


Comments about the Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD

What are the cheapest grocery stores?

Some stores like Smith's offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Since groceries are an essential part of you cost of living, take advantage of discounts whenever you can. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I love to go to sports events, what does Baltimore, Maryland have to offer?

If you love sports, you will love Baltimore, MD! Since there are football, baseball teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Baltimore, MD, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Baltimore, MD, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

How much is the average price of internet in Baltimore, MD?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Are there any tips that will help make the move to Baltimore, Maryland easier for my child?

Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Electricity bills are a big part of my current cost of living and can be really high, what is the cost of electricity in Baltimore, Maryland?

Electric costs in Baltimore,MD are currently higher than average when compared to other states. Since a year ago the price of electricity in Maryland has gone down about 2.109%. Electric costs will contribute to the energy component of your overall cost of living. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What are rents like in Baltimore,MD?

In Baltimore,MD, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $943, and for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1182. In general, in the past year, rental costs in Baltimore have gone down by approximately 0.7%. Since rental expense makes up a significant part of the cost of living, you should consider this expense and how it might change when you calculate your cost of living in a new city. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Baltimore, Maryland that is not very expensive?

Living in Baltimoreis great! Baltimore is a coastal city with a bustling port as well as a great area for colleges. The University of Maryland - Baltimore and Baltimore University are two popular public institutions based in Baltimore and offer numerous activities that are free or very low cost to help keep your cost of living reasonable. The Johns Hopkins University is noted for its innovative medical school and provides many employment opportunities in Healthcare related fields. Baltimore's light rail system provides easy access to every major part of the city. Baltimore's Inner Harbor has picturesque views and many restaurants and nightlife. Living in Baltimore. Let’s you keep the entertainment portion of your cost of living in control by taking advantage of many low cost activities and resources that this city has to offer. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Does Baltimore, Maryland have high income or sales taxes that will make the cost of living in Baltimore higher?

Baltimore, has an additional city tax rate of 3.05%. This will reduce income and leave less to spend on other necessities, impacting the overall cost of living in Baltimore, Maryland. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Is there good public transportation in Baltimore, Maryland?

You are in luck! Baltimore, Maryland is ranked NO. 19 in the U.S. for public transportation quality. Having a good public transit system to use will reduce travel expenses and your overall cost of living. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

Is Baltimore, Maryland very congested with traffic?

If you are planning to drive to work, you will be spending a lot of time and gas to get there. Baltimore, Maryland is one of the Worst cities in the United States for driving. Baltimore, Maryland is ranked number 89 out of 100 major cities. Plan on spending more on gas and auto expenses if you move to Baltimore, Maryland, resulting in a higher cost of living. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What is the average commute time in Baltimore, Maryland?

In Baltimore, MD, the average commute time is about 32.74 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Baltimore, Maryland?

The cost of a monthly transit pass in Baltimore, MD is around $68.00. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-03-27 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-03-27