Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Omaha?

Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $39,000 in Omaha.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Omaha?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Omaha Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Omaha

Nebraska

$1,130/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 $1,130 in Omaha, NE. Overall, Omaha, NE is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $72,708 in Omaha, NE — about 18% higher in Omaha, NE. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Omaha, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$908

+14% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$984

+8% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,193

+12% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,437

+8% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$230,100

+5% in Omaha, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$72,708

+22% in Omaha, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,660

+16% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.3 yr

+0.8 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

57.7%

+10.2 pp in Omaha, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

40.3%

+4.9 pp in Omaha, NE

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.6 min

+9.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

359

+78% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,153.5

+25% 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

51.1°F

+10.3°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

30.6 in

+11.8 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Omaha, NE

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.25

+38% in Baltimore, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.6

+38% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.53

+18% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Omaha, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Omaha, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Omaha, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Omaha, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NE)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.55%

+2.0 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Omaha — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Omaha?: Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Omaha?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $39,000 in Omaha.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Omaha?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).