Median rent is 10% lower in Baltimore ($1,331/mo vs $1,472/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baltimore, where the median home runs $229,600 versus $320,700. Households earn more in Dallas ($70,518 vs $62,177 a year). Taken together, Dallas 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 Dallas, TX.
Quick verdict
Dallas is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 102.5 in Dallas vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
Dallas, TX
How much would you need to earn in Dallas, TX to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in Dallas, TX
$74,496
You could earn $504 less (1% lower) and break even.
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
Baltimore
Maryland
Dallas
Texas
👥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 $1,472/mo in Dallas (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Dallas: the median home is $320,700 versus $229,600 in Baltimore — 28% 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.
Baltimore
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Dallas
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 Dallas if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,518/yr).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 25.0).
Is Baltimore cheaper than Dallas?
Dallas 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 Dallas.
How much is rent in Baltimore vs Dallas?
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,472/mo in Dallas, TX. Baltimore, MD has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Baltimore or Dallas?
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $70,518 in Dallas, TX. Dallas, 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 — Baltimore or Dallas?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Dallas to match my Baltimore income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $99,327 in Dallas, TX (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
