CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Plano is slightly cheaper than Baltimore — 1.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $78,900 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Baltimore
118.2
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Baltimore
102.4
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation1.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Baltimore
96.4
Plano
94.7
Utilities17.7%
Baltimore
110.2
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$78,900
$1,100 less needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9866. 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×

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

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

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

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)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.