Is Baltimore expensive to live in?

Baltimore is around the middle of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,073 per month ranks #35 of 50 and is 12% lower than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Baltimore?

Average rent in Baltimore, MD runs a studio around $1,050, a one-bedroom around $1,073, a two-bedroom around $1,353, a three-bedroom around $1,555 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Baltimore?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,073 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year. The median household income here is $59,623.

How much does it cost to live in Baltimore per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Baltimore is about $1,410 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

City skyline across body of water during daytime — Baltimore, MD

Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD

Population 569,931 · Maryland

~$1,410/mo est.1BR $1,073Home $219,300

Photo: Yianni Mathioudakis / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Baltimore, MD is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,073 a month — 12% lower than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,050 and two-bedrooms $1,353.

Median household income here is $59,623, 21% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,410 before food and transport. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,073

Studio

$1,050

1 Bedroom

$1,073

2 Bedroom

$1,353

3 Bedroom

$1,555

Buying a Home$219,300

Median Home Value

$219,300

Income$59,623

Median Household Income

$59,623

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities35.9¢/kWh

Electricity

35.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$17.19/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.30/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$4.30/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.00

Base Fare (MTA Maryland)

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (MD)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime1,616.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,616.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

4,202.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Baltimore Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 36.1 yrs

Median Age

36.1 yrs

Homeownership

47.5%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Climate61.4°F

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

Baltimore cost of living — FAQ

Is Baltimore expensive to live in?: Baltimore is around the middle of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,073 per month ranks #35 of 50 and is 12% lower than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Baltimore?: Average rent in Baltimore, MD runs a studio around $1,050, a one-bedroom around $1,073, a two-bedroom around $1,353, a three-bedroom around $1,555 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Baltimore?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,073 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year. The median household income here is $59,623.
How much does it cost to live in Baltimore per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Baltimore is about $1,410 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Baltimore with nearby cities

Baltimore vs Washington Baltimore vs Philadelphia Baltimore vs New York City Baltimore vs Virginia Beach Baltimore vs Raleigh Baltimore vs Columbus

Nearby cities

Washington, DC 35 mi Philadelphia, PA 90 mi New York City, NY 169 mi Virginia Beach, VA 172 mi Raleigh, NC 267 mi Columbus, OH 343 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.