CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Boulder, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent

Baltimore is slightly cheaper than Boulder — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $80,500 in Boulder. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+32.8%
Baltimore
118.2
Boulder
157
🛒 Groceries6.2%
Baltimore
102.4
Boulder
96.1
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Baltimore
106.6
Boulder
104.8
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Baltimore
96.4
Boulder
94.8
Utilities25.0%
Baltimore
110.2
Boulder
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Boulder to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boulder, CO
$80,500
$500 more needed in Boulder

Formula: salary × (105.2 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 1.0067. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Boulder has 32.8% higher housing costs compared to Baltimore.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.