Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Dover?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $42,000 in Dover.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Dover?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Dover Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $58,336 in Dover, DE — about 2% higher in Baltimore, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Dover, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$993

+5% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,047

+2% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,185

+12% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,634

+5% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$248,500

+13% in Dover, DE

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$58,336

+2% in Baltimore, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$46,690

+21% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.1 yr

+1.0 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

47.0%

+0.5 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

27.1%

+8.3 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

24.0 min

+5.4 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

1,025.3

+37% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

6,159.1

+47% in Dover, DE

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

56.9°F

+4.5°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

46.0 in

+3.6 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.3

+12% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$29.73

+32% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / DE)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

6.60%

+0.1 pp in DE

Baltimore vs Dover — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Dover?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Dover?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $42,000 in Dover.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Dover?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).