Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Rochester?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 32% higher in Rochester, MN. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,080

+3% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,106

+3% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,243

+8% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,646

+6% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$287,500

+31% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$87,767

+47% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$60,620

+3% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

36.4 yr

+0.3 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

47.5%

65.4%

+17.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

50.1%

+14.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

29.4 min

17.2 min

+12.2 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

158.9

+90% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,379

+67% 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

45.4°F

+16.0°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

33.0 in

+9.4 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.9

+22% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$14.95

+21% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MN)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

9.85%

+3.3 pp in MN

Baltimore vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Rochester?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).