Cost of living in Baltimore, MD Livability score 57 · cost-of-living index 103.2 (US = 100)
How Baltimore compares Where Baltimore falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 103 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 103 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $406k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $406k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $214 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $214 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 6.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 6.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.04% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.04% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 450 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 450 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 22.1 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 22.1 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 88° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 88° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 27° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 27° Map of Baltimore Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 103.2 #163 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 101.5 #162 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.87 #162 of 200 Median household income $94,167 #17 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $54,270 #6 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.86% #79 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +1.7% #140 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $405,877 #137 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.3× #71 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +0.8% #116 of 200 Price per square foot $214 #129 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,900 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,919 #149 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 7,932 Median days on market 8 #29 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.3% #144 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.00% #16 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.75% Capital gains tax 5.75% #130 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.04% #120 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,734 #146 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $7,200 #139 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $16,000 #150 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $135 #121 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 19 Avg commute to work 30 min #186 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 22.1¢/kWh #156 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $199 #156 of 200 Gasoline $3.30/gal #94 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,400 #47 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,900 #86 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $750 #90 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 47 #107 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,200 #104 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 4,600 #110 of 200 Avg summer high 88°F #98 of 200 Avg winter low 27°F #114 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 7a Frost window 04-10 → 11-01
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 450 #134 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,000 #83 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 83 #94 of 200 Parks 75 Hiking areas 5 Golf courses 16 Shooting ranges 6 Lakes 1
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 4 #147 of 200 Permit detail Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.