What is the cost of living in Baltimore, MD?

For a quick read on Baltimore: homes carry a median value of $202,900, rent runs a median $1,235 monthly, and household income is a median $58,349, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Baltimore?

Using the standard 30%-of-income rule of thumb, affording Baltimore's median rent of $1,235/month takes an income of roughly $49,400 a year. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Baltimore.

Is it better to rent or buy in Baltimore?

In Baltimore, comfortably renting the median unit ($1,235/month) takes about $49,400 in annual income, while buying the median home ($202,900) takes roughly $46,422 a year in principal and interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates).

Baltimore's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 1350.5 per 100,000 residents.

Baltimore, MD Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Baltimore, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Baltimore →

584,548

Population

$58,349

Median household income

-19% vs tracked median

$202,900

Median home value

-38% vs tracked median

$1,235/mo

Median rent

-11% vs tracked median

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Population in Baltimore, Maryland runs approximately 584,548. Median household income sits at $58,349, landing below the benchmark median we track across cities (-19%).

For renters and buyers alike, Baltimore offers a median home value of $202,900 (below the tracked median, -38%) and median rent of $1,235 monthly. Local property taxes and current mortgage rates will shape the real cost of buying.

Home prices in Baltimore run about 3.5× the typical household income — among the more affordable ratios we track, and a favorable starting point for buyers. Prices in the area have gained 2.62% year over year, a moderate pace that suggests a stable market around Baltimore. FEMA classifies Baltimore's hazard risk as Relatively High. That elevated rating is a major driver of home insurance premiums in the area.

Personal Affordability Check

Your annual household income: $58,349

Comfortable

Renting at $1,235/mo in Baltimore would take 25.4% of your income.

$224/mo under the 30% guideline.

Within Budget

Buying the median home ($202,900) would take 22.3% of your income toward principal & interest.

$278/mo under the 28% guideline.

Cost of housing in Baltimore

Median home value is $202,900 and median gross rent is $1,235/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for Baltimore City rose 2.62% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,857/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Baltimore's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Baltimore reported a violent crime rate of 1350.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Baltimore

Planning a move to Baltimore? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Cost estimates for moving between Baltimore and nearby popular destinations:

Moving from Baltimore to Washington

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Baltimore, MD?: For a quick read on Baltimore: homes carry a median value of $202,900, rent runs a median $1,235 monthly, and household income is a median $58,349, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Baltimore?: Using the standard 30%-of-income rule of thumb, affording Baltimore's median rent of $1,235/month takes an income of roughly $49,400 a year. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Baltimore.
Is it better to rent or buy in Baltimore?: In Baltimore, comfortably renting the median unit ($1,235/month) takes about $49,400 in annual income, while buying the median home ($202,900) takes roughly $46,422 a year in principal and interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates).
Is Baltimore safe?: Baltimore's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 1350.5 per 100,000 residents.

See the full salary breakdown for Baltimore →