Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Chicago?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Chicago?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 21% higher in Chicago, IL. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,186

+13% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,258

+17% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,406

+4% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,554

+0% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$315,200

+44% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$75,134

+26% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$54,720

+7% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

45.5%

+2.0 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

43.3%

+7.9 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

29.4 min

33.5 min

+4.1 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

539.8

+67% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,489.9

+17% 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

52.7°F

+8.7°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

38.0 in

+4.5 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Chicago, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.50

+25% in Chicago, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

23.9

+10% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.39

+19% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.95%

+1.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Chicago?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Chicago?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).