Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Madison?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Madison?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 23% higher in Madison, WI. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,018

+3% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,219

+14% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,432

+6% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,766

+14% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$346,900

+58% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$76,983

+29% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$58,080

+2% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

31.8 yr

+4.3 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

46.6%

+0.9 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

59.2%

+23.8 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.4 min

+10.0 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

259.5

+84% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,884.5

+55% 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

46.5°F

+14.9°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

34.5 in

+8.0 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.7

+9% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$11.79

+38% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WI)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

7.65%

+1.2 pp in WI

Baltimore vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Madison?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Madison?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).