Boston, MA vs Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Baltimore is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Boston are 11.7% higher, and housing prices differ the most (155.3 in Boston vs 92.0 in Baltimore). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,718 a month in Boston and $2,690 in Baltimore.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Boston, MA | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 111.8 | 100.1 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.3 | 104.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 155.3 | 92.0 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 102.4 |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 110.2 |
| Other services | 103.6 | 101.5 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,718 | $2,690 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,536 | $4,460 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,405 | $5,404 |
| Median gross rent | $2,147 | $1,331 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $2,012 | $1,103 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,248 | $1,406 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,281 | $1,577 |
| Median home value | $731,700 | $229,600 |
| Median household income | $97,344 | $62,177 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 30.6% | 32.0% |
| Home value ÷ income | 7.5× | 3.7× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 30.48 | 21.40 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.10 | $4.23 † |
| Population | 666,442 | 573,243 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Boston, MA
Boston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 111.8, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 99.7, Utilities 148.8, Other services 103.6
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore price index by category, US average = 100: All items 100.1, Housing (rents) 92.0, Goods 102.4, Utilities 110.2, Other services 101.5
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Boston | Baltimore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,107 | $1,327 | −$780 |
| Utilities | $703 | $603 | −$100 |
| Food at home | $740 | $760 | +$20 |
| Transportation | $1,799 | $1,664 | −$135 |
| Health care | $629 | $616 | −$13 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $427 | $434 | +$7 |
| Total | $6,405 | $5,404 | −$1,001 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Boston?
No. Overall prices in Baltimore, MD (index 100.1) are 10.5% lower than in Boston, MA (index 111.8), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 92.0 vs 155.3.
What salary do I need in Baltimore to match $60,000 in Boston?
About $53,700. Going the other way, $60,000 in Baltimore buys about as much as $67,000 in Boston. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Boston or Baltimore?
Median gross rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,331 in Baltimore (−38.0% in Baltimore; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $731,700 and $229,600.
Notes
- Baltimore: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources