Washington DC vs Baltimore: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Washington DC, DC and Baltimore, MD. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Washington DC
Washington DC
Cost Index108.9
Median Rent$1,954/mo
Median Income$110K
State Tax10.75%
Average
City B
Baltimore
Maryland
Cost Index104.5
Median Rent$1,331/mo
Median Income$62K
State Tax5.75%
Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Baltimore to match your lifestyle in Washington DC?
$80,000
Washington DC
$80,000
Cost Index: 108.9
Baltimore
$76,769
Cost Index: 104.5
You need $3,231 less in Baltimore to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-4.0%
Washington DC108.9
Baltimore104.5
Median Rent-31.9%
Washington DC$2K
Baltimore$1K
Median Income-43.4%
Washington DC$110K
Baltimore$62K
Grocery Index+225.7%
Washington DC100.0
Baltimore325.7
Utilities Index~equal
Washington DC100.0
Baltimore100.0
Transportation+184.6%
Washington DC100.0
Baltimore284.6
Healthcare~equal
Washington DC100.0
Baltimore100.0
State Tax Rate-46.5%
Washington DC10.75%
Baltimore5.75%
Side-by-Side Chart
Washington DC: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($110K)
Lower grocery costs
4% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,954/mo vs $1,331/mo
Higher state income tax (10.75%)
Baltimore: Pros & Cons
4% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,331/mo vs $1,954/mo
Lower state income tax (5.75%)
Lower unemployment (3.6%)
Washington DC vs Baltimore – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Washington DC and Baltimore.
Washington DC has a cost of living index of 108.9, while Baltimore scores 104.5. Washington DC is approximately -4.0% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Washington DC is $1,954/month compared to $1,331/month in Baltimore — a difference of 32%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 96% of your Washington DC salary to maintain the same standard of living in Baltimore. For example, a $75,000 salary in Washington DC would need to be about $71,971 in Baltimore. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Washington DC has a median household income of $109,870 with an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Baltimore has a median household income of $62,177 with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. While income is higher in Washington DC, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.