Rows tagged local are specific to Baltimore (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Baltimore, MD. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
103.2
metro-area
#163 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
101.5
metro-area
#162 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.87
metro-area
#162 of 200
Median household income
$58,349
local
#17 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$44,833
local
#6 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.92%
local
#79 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-5.7%
local
#140 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$202,900
local
#137 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.5×
local
#71 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+0.8%
metro-area
#116 of 200
Price per square foot
$107
local
#129 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,235
local
#149 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
7,932
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.3%
state
#144 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#130 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.51%
local
#120 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,065
local
#146 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
state
#139 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#150 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$135
state
#121 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
19
Avg commute to work
30 min
local
#186 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
22.1¢/kWh
state
#156 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$199
state
#156 of 200
Gasoline
$3.30/gal
state
#94 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$88
state
#181 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$106
state
#109 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#129 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#47 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
47
metro-area
#107 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,200
metro-area
#104 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,600
metro-area
#110 of 200
Avg summer high
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200
Avg winter low
27°F
metro-area
#114 of 200
Annual precipitation
45.0"
metro-area
#125 of 200
Annual snowfall
19.3"
metro-area
#122 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
450
state
#134 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
83
metro-area
#94 of 200
Parks
75
Hiking areas
5
Golf courses
16
Shooting ranges
6
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#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.