Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Warwick?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Warwick?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 32% higher in Warwick, RI. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$923

+12% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,085

+1% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,629

+20% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,569

+1% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$322,000

+47% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$87,536

+47% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$53,680

+9% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

44.6 yr

+8.5 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

47.5%

73.4%

+25.9 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

33.2%

+2.2 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

25.0 min

+4.4 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

79.5

+95% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,149.5

+73% 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

51.6°F

+9.8°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

47.2 in

+4.8 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/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

29.2

+34% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$25.75

+14% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Warwick, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.99%

+0.5 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Warwick?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Warwick?: 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 Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Warwick?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).