Median rent is 2% lower in Baltimore ($1,331/mo vs $1,361/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baltimore, where the median home runs $229,600 versus $277,800. Households earn more in Houston ($64,813 vs $62,177 a year). Taken together, Houston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.7 against 103.2 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Houston, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Houston is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.7 in Houston vs 103.2 in Baltimore (US national average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$72,492
You could earn $2,508 less (3% 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
Houston
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,331/mo in Baltimore and $1,361/mo in Houston. Median home values are within 17% of each other: $229,600 in Baltimore and $277,800 in Houston.
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
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baltimore has cleaner air on average: 25.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Houston if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 99.7 vs 103.2).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 25.0).
Is Baltimore cheaper than Houston?
Houston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.7 versus 103.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Houston.
How much is rent in Baltimore vs Houston?
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Baltimore, MD has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Baltimore or Houston?
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $64,813 in Houston, TX. Houston, 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 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baltimore or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston to match my Baltimore income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $96,656 in Houston, 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
