CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Fresno, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Fresno is slightly cheaper than Baltimore — 2.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $78,200 in Fresno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.0%
Baltimore
118.2
Fresno
95.7
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Baltimore
102.4
Fresno
105.2
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Baltimore
106.6
Fresno
105.3
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Baltimore
96.4
Fresno
95.3
Utilities+46.1%
Baltimore
110.2
Fresno
161

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Fresno

Formula: salary × (102.2 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9780. 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×

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Baltimore has 19.0% lower housing costs compared to Fresno.

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

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

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)

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.