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Cost of Living in Baltimore, MD

Population 573,243 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,331
Median home value$229,600
Median household income$62,177

The median rent in Baltimore, MD is $1,331/month, 22% lower than the Maryland median and 6% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $229,600, 31% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $62,177 a year, 40% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 25.7%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $53,240/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.7×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,161/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Baltimore vs. Maryland vs. U.S.

BaltimoreMarylandU.S.
Median rent$1,331$1,705$1,413
Median home value$229,600$419,900$332,700
Median household income$62,177$103,678$80,734
Homeownership rate47.5%67.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher36.1%43.4%35.7%
Poverty rate19.7%9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.5%4.9%5.2%
Work from home17.8%19.3%15.1%
Median age36.239.438.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Baltimore, MD?

The median gross rent in Baltimore, MD is $1,331 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Baltimore, MD?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $53,240 a year in gross income.

Is Baltimore, MD expensive to live in?

Rent there is 6% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.7 times the median household income.

Other cities in Maryland

Columbia, MDRent $2,042 · Income $131,490Germantown, MDRent $2,040 · Income $117,546Frederick, MDRent $1,764 · Income $97,069Waldorf, MDRent $1,995 · Income $116,089Silver Spring, MDRent $1,913 · Income $99,860Ellicott City, MDRent $2,061 · Income $156,964

Cities with a similar cost of living

Panama City, FLRent $1,327 · Income $62,265Eastpointe, MIRent $1,325 · Income $62,325Pahrump, NVRent $1,304 · Income $62,109Twentynine Palms, CARent $1,352 · Income $62,554Greenville, TXRent $1,311 · Income $62,781Dearborn Heights, MIRent $1,331 · Income $60,391

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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