Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Seattle?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Seattle?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Baltimore, MD versus $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 51% higher in Seattle, WA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,638

+56% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,858

+73% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$2,359

+74% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$2,918

+88% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$912,100

+316% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$121,984

+105% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$72,610

+23% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.5 yr

+0.6 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

44.2%

+3.3 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

67.5%

+32.1 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

29.4 min

26.6 min

+2.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

787.3

+51% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

5,107.9

+22% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+7.9°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

37.7 in

+4.7 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$5.77/gal

+34% in Seattle, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

35.9

14.4

+60% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.19

$17.32

+1% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Seattle, WA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Seattle?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Seattle?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).