Baltimore, Maryland has an overall cost of living index of 103.2, which is 3.2 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,331 per month, while the typical home is valued around $229,600. Households earn a median of $62,177 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 25. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$62,177
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,331
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$229,600
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
103.2
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,362
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,511
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,857
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,358
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
103.2
Goods
101.5
Rents / Housing
116.8
Services
110.1
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $151,370 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $97,130 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $72,670 |
| ⚡Electrician | $69,850 |
| 📊Accountant | $93,520 |
| 🔧Plumber | $68,310 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $232,520 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $106,560 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $127,880 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $78,020 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $152,310 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $58,560 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $148,640 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
573,243
Latest estimate
Median Age
36.2 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
25.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
53
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,579
Per month
Avg Home Value
$380,633
Census ACS
January Avg
37°F
July Avg
81°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.6
poor
Hospitals
17
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
94.1%
What is the cost of living index for Baltimore?
Baltimore has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 103.2. The US national average is 100, so Baltimore is 3.2 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Baltimore?
The median gross rent in Baltimore is $1,331 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Baltimore?
The median household income in Baltimore is $62,177 per year.
What is the median home value in Baltimore?
The median home value in Baltimore is $229,600 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Baltimore?
Baltimore has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 25.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Baltimore?
Tax data for Maryland is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
