Philadelphia, PA vs Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Baltimore is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Philadelphia are 1.4% higher, and housing prices differ the most (106.3 in Philadelphia vs 92.0 in Baltimore). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,782 a month in Philadelphia and $2,690 in Baltimore.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.5 | 100.1 |
| BEA index for the area | 102.6 | 104.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 106.3 | 92.0 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 102.4 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 110.2 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 101.5 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,782 | $2,690 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,477 | $4,460 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,279 | $5,404 |
| Median gross rent | $1,397 | $1,331 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,242 | $1,103 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,471 | $1,406 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,492 | $1,577 |
| Median home value | $243,100 | $229,600 |
| Median household income | $61,953 | $62,177 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.4% | 32.0% |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.9× | 3.7× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 21.77 | 21.40 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.23 † |
| Population | 1,579,706 | 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
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.5, Housing (rents) 106.3, Goods 96.8, Utilities 114.4, Other services 103.1
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 | Philadelphia | Baltimore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,252 | $1,327 | +$75 |
| Utilities | $582 | $603 | +$21 |
| Food at home | $719 | $760 | +$41 |
| Transportation | $1,682 | $1,664 | −$18 |
| Health care | $626 | $616 | −$10 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $418 | $434 | +$16 |
| Total | $5,279 | $5,404 | +$125 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Philadelphia?
No. Overall prices in Baltimore, MD (index 100.1) are 1.4% lower than in Philadelphia, PA (index 101.5), 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 106.3.
What salary do I need in Baltimore to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?
About $59,200. Going the other way, $60,000 in Baltimore buys about as much as $60,900 in Philadelphia. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Philadelphia or Baltimore?
Median gross rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,331 in Baltimore (−4.7% in Baltimore; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $243,100 and $229,600.
Notes
- Philadelphia: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Baltimore: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources