Median rent is 12% lower in Baltimore ($1,331/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baltimore, where the median home runs $229,600 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $62,177 a year). Taken together, Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Fort Worth is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Fort Worth vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US national average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$74,496
You could earn $504 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Baltimore
Maryland
Fort Worth
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Baltimore at $1,331/mo compared to $1,509/mo in Fort Worth (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Fort Worth: the median home is $303,000 versus $229,600 in Baltimore — 24% more expensive.
Metric
Baltimore
Fort Worth
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Baltimore (avg AQI 25.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,331/mo median).
Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth.
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Baltimore, MD has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $99,327 in Fort Worth, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
