Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Tacoma?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Tacoma?

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

Baltimore vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 29% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,178

+12% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,332

+24% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,693

+25% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$2,094

+35% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$454,600

+107% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$83,857

+41% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$72,610

+23% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.3 yr

+1.2 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

47.5%

56.5%

+9.0 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

33.5%

+1.9 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

29.0 min

+0.4 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

1,064.4

+34% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

5,695.2

+36% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+9.3°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

43.0 in

+0.6 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.9

+31% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$20.41

+8% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Tacoma?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Tacoma?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).