salaryBaltimore is the largest city in Maryland that we track, with 573,243 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,760 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maryland cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Maryland. It is number 37 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Baltimore with other big cities
Compare Baltimore to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Baltimore?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Baltimore
| Size | Baltimore | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,201 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,161 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,479 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,659 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,711 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Baltimore overall?
Everyday prices in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Baltimore
Life in Baltimore
What jobs pay in Baltimore
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $138,900 | 14.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $138,790 | 14.0% |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | 14.1% |
| Lawyer | $132,400 | 14.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | 14.7% |
| Operations Manager | $117,040 | 16.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $116,130 | 16.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,980 | 17.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,500 | 19.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,550 | 19.5% |
| Accountant | $85,160 | 22.8% |
| Police Officer | $76,530 | 25.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,400 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,860 | 26.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,620 | 26.0% |
| Firefighter | $73,810 | 26.3% |
| Electrician | $65,590 | 29.6% |
| Plumber | $63,200 | 30.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,180 | 30.8% |
| Carpenter | $62,380 | 31.1% |
| Truck Driver | $59,460 | 32.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,790 | 41.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,250 | 44.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,850 | 45.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,770 | 45.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,420 | 51.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,170 | 53.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,800 | 55.8% |
| Cashier | $33,760 | 57.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Baltimore?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $26 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $229,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Baltimore, MD?
Renting in Baltimore costs a median of about $1,619 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Baltimore?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,760 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Baltimore cheap or expensive?
Baltimore is rated OK: rent takes 29.0% of the typical household income of $67,058. It ranks 37th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Baltimore?
The median homeowner in Baltimore pays $3,354 a year in property taxes, about 1.46% of the median home value.
Is Baltimore more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Baltimore?
The median home value in Baltimore is $229,600, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
573,243 people live in Baltimore. Numbers are typical (middle) values.