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Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Cost of living in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore city, MD

Part of the Baltimore Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,751/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 577,193 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,604 43%
Federal tax $596 16%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $382 10%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $204 5%
State tax $180 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Baltimore

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,407
per month
1 bedroom
$1,604
per month
2 bedroom
$1,965
per month
3 bedroom
$2,529
per month
4 bedroom
$2,826
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Baltimore

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$59,623
per year
Individual earnings
$46,487
per year
Per capita
$39,195
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Baltimore

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$219,300
Annual property tax
$3,236

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Baltimore

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$150
per month · 16.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$54
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Baltimore

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Baltimore

State and local tax rates for Maryland.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Baltimore

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.4 min
Drive alone
56.8%
Public transit
11.5%
Work from home
15.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Baltimore

What it costs to live in Baltimore each month.

Single person
$3,751
per month
  • Rent $1,604
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $382
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $596
  • State tax $180
Couple
$5,000
per month
  • Rent $1,965
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $633
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $646
  • State tax $232
Family
$7,748
per month
  • Rent $2,529
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $960
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $646
  • State tax $232

Frequently asked questions about Baltimore

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Baltimore?

In Baltimore, Maryland, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,604 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,965 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,529 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Baltimore?

In Baltimore, Maryland, the average household income is $59,623 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $46,487 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Baltimore?

The estimated cost of living in Baltimore, Maryland is approximately $3,751 per month for a single person, $5,000 for a couple, $7,748 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Baltimore?

The combined sales tax rate in Baltimore, Maryland is 6.00%, which includes the Maryland state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Baltimore an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Baltimore, Maryland would need approximately $3,751 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $59,623 per year ($4,969 per month). Baltimore has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Baltimore?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Baltimore, Maryland is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Baltimore?

The average home value in Baltimore, Maryland is $219,300, with average annual property taxes of $3,236, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Baltimore compare to other areas?

You can compare Baltimore, Maryland with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Baltimore is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area.

Other counties in Maryland

Browse the full list of counties in Maryland, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Maryland

Compare Baltimore with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources