Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Baltimore, MD to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Baltimore, MD?
With a price level of 104.5 (U.S. average = 100), Baltimore, MD is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 18% above average; everyday goods run 2% above average; utilities run 10% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Baltimore, MD vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 104.5 | +4.5% |
| Housing | 118.2 | +18.2% |
| Goods | 102.4 | +2.4% |
| Utilities | 110.2 | +10.2% |
| Other services | 101.5 | +1.5% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Baltimore, MD
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,362 | $54,480/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,511 | $60,440/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,857 | $74,280/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,358 | $94,320/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,611 | $104,440/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Baltimore, MD
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Baltimore, MD | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $41,800 | $34,144 |
| $60,000 | $62,700 | $49,945 |
| $80,000 | $83,600 | $64,035 |
| $100,000 | $104,500 | $77,746 |
| $150,000 | $156,700 | $111,102 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Maryland 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Baltimore, MD's median wage of $59,070 takes home about $3,933 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,511, which is 38% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,422 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Baltimore, MD
- Federal income tax$4,908
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,662
- Medicare (1.45%)$857
- Maryland income tax$2,442
- Take-home pay$47,201
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.75% state
Baltimore City residents also pay a city income tax: about $1,681 a year on the $59,070 median wage, leaving $45,520. Select “Baltimore City” under City income tax above to include it.
Highest-paying jobs in Baltimore, MD
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Maryland cities
Half of Maryland’s 2,763,030 workers earn less than $59,510 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $39,440–$98,010 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Washington, DC stretches a paycheck furthest, while Hagerstown, MD is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $71,060 | 108.9 | $1,990 | 43% | $2,661 | $51,255 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $54,310 | 102.6 | $1,520 | 42% | $2,113 | $42,516 |
| Baltimore, MD | $59,070 | 104.5 | $1,511 | 38% | $2,422 | $45,174 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $47,440 | 94.2 | $952 | 30% | $2,249 | $40,786 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $63,990 | 100.8 | $1,753 | 41% | $2,490 | $50,536 |
| Salisbury, MD | $48,710 | 95.6 | $1,031 | 31% | $2,250 | $41,173 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Baltimore, MD vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| St. Louis, MO | 95.1 | $989 | $49,990 | 1,341,320 |
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Austin, TX | 98.1 | $1,562 | $56,950 | 1,293,690 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
| Portland, OR | 105.4 | $1,677 | $60,690 | 1,208,410 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore, MD expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area are 104.5% of the U.S. average, with housing at 118.2%. It is the #33 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Baltimore, MD?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $62,692 in Baltimore, MD (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $59,070.
Can you afford Baltimore, MD on the median wage?
A single worker on the $59,070 median wage takes home about $3,933 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,511 would take 38% of that.
How much is rent in Baltimore, MD?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Baltimore, MD are $1,362 for a studio, $1,511 for one bedroom, $1,857 for two bedrooms and $2,358 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Baltimore, MD
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $168,520
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $167,350
- Financial Manager — $157,990
- Managers, All Other — $148,700
- Marketing Manager — $140,180
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $131,880
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $124,990
- Construction Manager — $121,490
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $117,750
- Project Management Specialist — $103,720
- Logistician — $102,700
- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,970
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $98,880
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $98,700
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $98,060
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,160
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Computer Network Architect — $160,340
- Software Developer — $138,900
- Information Security Analyst — $138,170
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $135,600
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $129,880
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $122,950
- Computer Systems Analyst — $108,980
- Computer Network Support Specialist — $102,980
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Mechanical Engineer — $116,700
- Electrical Engineer — $116,650
- Engineers, All Other — $113,880
- Civil Engineer — $100,500
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Healthcare Social Worker — $75,720
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $74,960
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $74,740
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $57,750
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $48,420
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $132,400
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $65,640
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $99,430
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $79,360
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,350
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $76,400
- Tutor — $56,200
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $48,770
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $39,280
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,200
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $218,770
- Pharmacist — $138,110
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,990
- Registered Nurse — $99,550
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $74,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $57,930
- Pharmacy Technician — $45,230
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $48,410
- Medical Assistant — $46,790
- Nursing Assistant — $42,770
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,640
Protective Service Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $124,660
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,530
- Firefighter — $73,810
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $64,250
- Security Guard — $36,970
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $34,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,760
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,540
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,420
- Bartender — $37,360
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,170
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,710
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,080
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $34,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $39,620
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,460
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $34,710
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,140
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,370
- Animal Caretaker — $35,420
- Childcare Worker — $34,860
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $33,200
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $88,220
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $73,080
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $62,080
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $61,840
- Insurance Sales Agent — $58,300
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,760
- Retail Salesperson — $34,800
- Cashier — $33,760
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $78,380
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $75,590
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,070
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $57,160
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $57,100
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $53,570
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $52,940
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $49,220
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,690
- Electrician — $65,590
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,200
- Carpenter — $62,380
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $60,740
- Construction Laborer — $46,460
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $82,690
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $63,180
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $57,630
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $52,100
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $48,520
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $77,970
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $43,970
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $75,460
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,460
- Bus Drivers, School — $57,850
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $57,800
- Light Truck Driver — $48,080
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $43,850
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,250
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $41,200