Median rent is 9% lower in Baltimore ($1,331/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baltimore, where the median home runs $229,600 versus $304,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $62,177 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 103.2 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, TX.
Quick verdict
Arlington is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 102.5 in Arlington vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US average = 100)
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Baltimore, MD
How much would you need to earn in Baltimore, MD to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Baltimore, MD
$75,508
You'd need $508 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
Baltimore
Maryland
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Baltimore at $1,331/mo compared to $1,470/mo in Arlington (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Arlington: the median home is $304,700 versus $229,600 in Baltimore — 25% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baltimore
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baltimore has cleaner air on average: 25.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,171/yr).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 25.0).
Is Arlington cheaper than Baltimore?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 103.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Baltimore?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD. Baltimore, MD has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Baltimore?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $62,177 in Baltimore, MD. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Baltimore, MD has better air quality on average: 25.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Baltimore?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Baltimore to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,677 in Baltimore, MD (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
