Washington, DC vs Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Baltimore is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Washington are 9.3% higher, and housing prices differ the most (135.9 in Washington vs 92.0 in Baltimore). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $2,690 in Baltimore.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 100.1 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 104.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 92.0 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 102.4 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 110.2 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 101.5 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $2,690 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $4,460 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $5,404 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $1,331 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $1,103 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $1,406 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $1,577 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $229,600 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $62,177 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 32.0% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 3.7× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 21.40 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.23 † |
| Population | 681,294 | 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
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
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 | Washington | Baltimore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $1,327 | −$1,047 |
| Utilities | $534 | $603 | +$69 |
| Food at home | $779 | $760 | −$19 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,664 | −$117 |
| Health care | $621 | $616 | −$5 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $434 | −$9 |
| Total | $6,532 | $5,404 | −$1,128 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
Try other numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Washington?
No. Overall prices in Baltimore, MD (index 100.1) are 8.5% lower than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), 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 135.9.
What salary do I need in Baltimore to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $54,900. Going the other way, $60,000 in Baltimore buys about as much as $65,600 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Baltimore?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,331 in Baltimore (−31.9% in Baltimore; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $229,600.
Notes
- Washington: 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