Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Meridian?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Meridian?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 40% higher in Meridian, ID. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,523

+45% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,540

+44% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,489

+10% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,893

+22% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$485,000

+121% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$98,686

+66% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,100

+17% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.4 yr

+1.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

47.5%

76.1%

+28.6 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

44.4%

+9.0 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

29.4 min

22.3 min

+7.1 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

150.3

+91% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

583.5

+86% 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

52.5°F

+8.9°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

11.7 in

+30.7 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.4

+34% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$11.33

+50% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.30%

+1.2 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Meridian?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Meridian?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).