Living Cost Compare
Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

vs
Greenville

South Carolina

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Greenville, SC. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $68,460 in Greenville, SC — about 13% higher in Greenville, SC. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD
Greenville, SC

Rent

Studio
$1,050
$1,175
+12% in Greenville, SC
1 Bedroom
$1,073
$1,113
+4% in Greenville, SC
2 Bedroom
$1,353
$1,325
+2% in Baltimore, MD
3 Bedroom
$1,555
$1,550
+0% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$219,300
$453,300
+107% in Greenville, SC

Income

Median Household Income
$59,623
$68,460
+15% in Greenville, SC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$46,580
+21% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.1 yr
34.8 yr
+1.3 yr in Baltimore, MD
Homeownership
47.5%
41.2%
+6.3 pp in Baltimore, MD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.4%
55.0%
+19.6 pp in Greenville, SC
Avg Commute
29.4 min
19.9 min
+9.5 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,616.7
649.8
+60% in Baltimore, MD
Property Crime
4,202.6
3,479.3
+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
60.5°F
+0.9°F in Baltimore, MD
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
50.8 in
+8.3 in in Greenville, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$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
15.6
+29% in Baltimore, MD
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.57
$29.07
+29% in Greenville, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / SC)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
6.00%
+0.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Greenville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Greenville?
They're close. Baltimore, MD runs about $1,300 a month and Greenville, SC about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Greenville?
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 Greenville.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Greenville?
Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Greenville under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).