CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Harrisburg, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Harrisburg is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $75,600 in Harrisburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.5%
Baltimore
118.2
Harrisburg
96.3
🛒 Groceries1.7%
Baltimore
102.4
Harrisburg
100.7
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Harrisburg
102.6
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Baltimore
96.4
Harrisburg
92.8
Utilities1.9%
Baltimore
110.2
Harrisburg
108.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Harrisburg, PA
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Harrisburg

Formula: salary × (98.7 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9445. 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×

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Baltimore has 18.5% lower housing costs compared to Harrisburg.

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

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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)

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.