Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Salt Lake City?

They're close. Baltimore, MD runs about $1,300 a month and Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $47,000 in Salt Lake City.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Salt Lake City?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Salt Lake City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Salt Lake City Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Salt Lake City

Utah

$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 Salt Lake City, UT. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $74,925 in Salt Lake City, UT — about 20% higher in Salt Lake City, UT. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Salt Lake City, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$997

+5% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,166

+9% in Salt Lake City, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,461

+8% in Salt Lake City, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,993

+28% in Salt Lake City, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$495,700

+126% in Salt Lake City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$74,925

+26% in Salt Lake City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$55,240

+6% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.0 yr

+3.1 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

46.8%

+0.7 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

50.9%

+15.5 pp in Salt Lake City, UT

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.6 min

+9.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

878.8

+46% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

5,257.3

+25% in Salt Lake City, UT

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

52.8°F

+8.6°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

16.1 in

+26.3 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Salt Lake City, UT

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

13.0

+40% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$10.26

+46% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Salt Lake City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Salt Lake City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Salt Lake City, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Salt Lake City, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salt Lake City, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Salt Lake City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Salt Lake City?: They're close. Baltimore, MD runs about $1,300 a month and Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $47,000 in Salt Lake City.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Salt Lake City?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Salt Lake City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).