Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Juneau?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Juneau.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Juneau?

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

Baltimore vs Juneau Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Juneau, AK. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $100,513 in Juneau, AK — about 41% higher in Juneau, AK. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Juneau, AK

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$993

+5% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,257

+17% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,647

+22% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,949

+25% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$432,500

+97% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$100,513

+69% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

39.8 yr

+3.7 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

47.5%

64.4%

+16.9 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

40.5%

+5.1 pp in Juneau, AK

Avg Commute

29.4 min

15.8 min

+13.6 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

515.6

+68% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

2,113.1

+50% 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

42.1°F

+19.3°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

62.3 in

+19.8 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Juneau, AK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

28.2

+29% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$17.35

+23% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Juneau, AK

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Juneau, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AK)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Juneau — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Juneau?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Juneau?: 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 Juneau.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Juneau?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax 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).