CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs New York, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Baltimore is moderately cheaper than New York — 7.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $86,200 in New York. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+25.7%
Baltimore
118.2
New York
148.6
🛒 Groceries+7.7%
Baltimore
102.4
New York
110.3
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Baltimore
106.6
New York
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Baltimore
96.4
New York
100.5
Utilities+15.2%
Baltimore
110.2
New York
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$86,200
$6,200 more needed in New York

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 1.0775. 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×

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

New York has 25.7% 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

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

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)

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.