Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Pittsburgh?

They're close. Baltimore, MD runs about $1,300 a month and Pittsburgh, PA about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Pittsburgh?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 7% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,109

+6% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,079

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,269

+6% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,450

+7% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$193,200

+12% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$64,137

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,650

+16% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.5 yr

+2.6 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

47.2%

+0.3 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

47.8%

+12.4 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

29.4 min

23.1 min

+6.3 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

436

+73% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

2,315.7

+45% 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

51.8°F

+9.6°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

39.3 in

+3.1 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

21.6

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$19.17

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.07%

+3.4 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Pittsburgh?: They're close. Baltimore, MD runs about $1,300 a month and Pittsburgh, PA about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Pittsburgh?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).