Cost of Living in Baltimore City, MD
| Cost of Living in Baltimore City, MD | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 35% lower | 6% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% higher | 10% higher |
| Food | 5% lower | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 2% higher | 2% lower |
| Transportation | 2% higher | 3% higher |
| Goods & Services | 2% lower | 4% higher |
The cost of living in Baltimore City, MD is 13% lower than the state average and 1% higher than the national average. Baltimore City, MD housing is 6% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 10% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% more in Baltimore City, MD than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 4% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 2% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 4% pricier in Baltimore City, MD.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Baltimore City is $1,574, while home prices circle around $402,223.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Baltimore City, energy bills cost around $225.67 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.72 in Baltimore City, a dozen eggs go for around $3.89 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.29.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Baltimore City, an optometry check-up costs around $115.42, while a dentist appointment is priced $117.50 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.35 in Baltimore City, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $65.11.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $38.24 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $35.08.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Baltimore City, you should budget around $13.62 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $28.11, while dry cleaning costs about $9.51.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Baltimore City, the median household income is $59,822.