Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Boise?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Boise?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Boise?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 27% higher in Boise, ID. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,021

+3% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,133

+6% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,342

+1% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,749

+12% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$456,000

+108% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$81,308

+36% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,100

+17% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

38.2 yr

+2.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

47.5%

63.0%

+15.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

46.6%

+11.2 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.1 min

+10.3 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

301

+81% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,135.1

+73% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

52.5°F

+8.9°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

11.7 in

+30.7 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Boise, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

12.3

+43% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$10.82

+43% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.30%

+1.2 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Boise?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Boise?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).