Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Casper?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/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 $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 14% higher in Casper, WY. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$730

+30% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$764

+29% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$930

+31% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,299

+16% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$250,700

+14% in Casper, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$69,171

+16% in Casper, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$48,880

+17% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.0 yr

+0.9 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

47.5%

70.3%

+22.8 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

30.0%

+5.4 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

16.9 min

+12.5 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

302.4

+81% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

2,123.8

+49% 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

45.4°F

+16.0°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

12.5 in

+29.9 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Casper, WY

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

15.2

+30% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.28

+19% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Casper, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WY)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Casper?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).