Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Houston?

Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Baltimore, MD's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Houston?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,350 in Houston, TX. Overall, Houston, TX is roughly 4% 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 $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 5% higher in Houston, TX. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,142

+9% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,156

+8% in Houston, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,375

+2% in Houston, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,664

+7% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$253,400

+16% in Houston, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$62,894

+5% in Houston, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,410

+16% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

34.3 yr

+1.8 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

42.0%

+5.5 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

36.0%

+0.6 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

29.4 min

27.3 min

+2.1 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

1,155.2

+29% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

4,325.3

+3% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+8.9°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

54.6 in

+12.2 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$3.85/gal

+11% in Baltimore, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.25

+38% in Baltimore, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

35.9

16.4

+54% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.19

$24.61

+43% in Houston, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.73

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Houston?: Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Baltimore, MD's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Houston?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax 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).