What is the Baltimore cost of living? As an affordable East Coast city, Baltimore is with just 1% higher than the national average cost of living. Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland on the East Coast of the United States. It is also a historic and vibrant city on the East Coast of the country. As an important port city and cultural center, it attracts a large number of students, professionals and families. Knowing the cost of living in Baltimore is therefore crucial for those planning to live or study there. This article will delve into what Baltimore spends on housing, utilities, food, education, transportation, entertainment, and healthcare, and analyze how these factors affect the overall cost of living in Baltimore, Maryland.
Is It Expensive to Live in Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore cost of living is overall 1% higher than the national average, yet about the same than the state average, making it a more expensive city than other US locations out of the Maryland but a more affordable area in the state. According to the latest statistics, a single person in Baltimore needs around $1,373 per month for living expenses, excluding the housing rent and the tuition. Housing costs in Baltimore are about 13% below the U.S. average and 12% below the Maryland average. Utilities are about 18% above the national average. Food costs are around 3% higher, while healthcare is about 3% lower. Transportation costs are close to the national average.
| Baltimore Cost of Living | |
|---|---|
| Category | Average Cost |
| Housing rent | $1,669/month |
| Utilities | $214-$433/month |
| Education | $5,935-$68,670/month |
| Food & Drink | $650/month |
| Transportation | $77-$366/month |
| Entertainment | $300-$650/month |
| Healthcare | $141/month |
Baltimore Cost of Living on Housing
The average rent in Baltimore City is about $1,669 per month. Housing costs are around 13% lower than the U.S. average. They are also about 12% lower than the Maryland average.
Rent changes by location. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages about $1,760 per month. A similar apartment outside the city centre averages about $1,093 per month.
Baltimore is also cheaper than several nearby major cities. Using the same rental comparison data, an apartment averages about $1,535 in Baltimore and $2,303 in Washington, D.C. New York apartments average about $4,202 per month. This makes Baltimore apartment rent around 33% lower than Washington and about 63% lower than New York.
| Average Housing Rent in Baltimore | |
|---|---|
| Room Types | Average Monthly Rent |
| Studio | $1,330 |
| 1-Bedroom Apt | $1,585 |
| 2- Bedroom Apt | $1,779 |
| 3-Bedroom Apt | $2,052 |
| 4-Bedroom Apt | $2,200 |
Students can often lower their housing costs by sharing an apartment or choosing student housing. Student housing in Baltimore starts from 795/month on uhomes.com. Options are available near Johns Hopkins University, Downtown Baltimore, and popular student areas.
uhomes.com, a popular global student apartments service platform with over 10 years of experience, offers students a choice of comfortable, affordable, and secure apartments in Baltimore. Simultaneously, the platform provides a real-time housing price comparison function, which is especially suitable for students and new immigrants to quickly lock in cost-effective communities.
Baltimore Maryland Cost of Living on Utilities
Utilities in Baltimore are 18% pricer than the U.S. average and 1% higher than the state average. The average Baltimore Maryland living cost on utilities is around $214 per month, and the specific bills may depending on the number of the family members. It usually covers electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage.
| Utilities Cost in Baltimore | |
|---|---|
| Category | Ave. Monthly Cost |
| Energy | $281.78 |
| Phone | $66.83 |
| Internet | $85.94 |
| TV | $75-$150 |
Choosing an energy-efficient apartment can also reduce monthly bills. ENERGY STAR-certified apartments are at least 10% more energy efficient than standard code-built homes.
Cost of Living in Baltimore: Education
Education costs in Baltimore vary widely between public schools, private schools, and universities. Public K-12 education is tuition free for eligible local residents. Private schools charge about $14,868 per year.
In terms of higher education, Baltimore is home to many top universities and colleges, such as Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). For college students, tuition is also a cost that cannot be ignored. However, tuition fees are different for different universities and colleges and majors. Tuition at Johns Hopkins University, for example, is about $68,670, but scholarship resources are plentiful. For your consideration, we have listed the costs of admission to some of leading universities and colleges in Baltimore as follows:
| Tuitions of the Universities in Baltimore, MD | |
|---|---|
| University | Tuition (per academic year) |
| Johns Hopkins University | $68,670 |
| University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) | In-State: $14,086 Out-of-State: $34,183 |
| Loyola University Maryland | $61,810 |
| Morgan State University | Maryland Resident: $5,935 Non-Maryland Resident: $17,265 |
Baltimore Living expenses on Food & Drink
Food living expenses in Baltimore are 3% higher than the national average, but 5% lower than the state average. A single person may spend around $424 per month on groceries and another $227 on dining out.
It is cheap to buy fruits, vegetables, and drinks in supermarkets, and the discount products in supermarkets will further compress the food & drink budget. A fast-food combo meal costs about $10.69. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant averages $18. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range costs about $96.
| Food Prices in Baltimore | |
|---|---|
| Food | Cost |
| Bread (white, 500g) | $4.05 |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1.13 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $4.90 |
| Rice (white, 1 kg) | $4.14 |
| Sugar (1 kg) | $2.92 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $12.81 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $12.87 |
| Beef Round (1kg) | $18.85 |
| Apples (1kg) | $6.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $5.69 |
| Banana (1kg) | $1.57 |
| Potato (1kg) | $2.76 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $4.89 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $2.42 |
| Onion (1kg) | $2.89 |
| Drinks Prices in Baltimore | |
|---|---|
| Drinks | Cost |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $2.30 |
| Soft drink (0.5 liter bottle) | $3.43 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15.60 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $2.60 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $3.88 |
Cost of Livng in Baltimore MD: Transportation
Transportation costs in Baltimore are close to the national average. A regular Maryland Transit Administration monthly pass costs $77. Baltimore has buses, Light Rail, and Metro Subway services. A regular one-way MTA trip costs $2. A day pass costs $4.60, while a 7-day pass costs $22. The All Access Student Transit Pass costs $57.
Ride sharing is another common option. An Uber trip from BWI Airport to Downtown Baltimore currently averages about $28, although the final price changes with demand and traffic.
Driving brings additional costs. Gasoline in Baltimore averages about $3.04 per gallon. Downtown monthly parking can cost around $200-$300, depending on the garage and location.
Living Cost in Baltimore: Entertainment
Baltimore cost of living for entertainment is 8% higher than the USA average but 2% lower than the state average, with around $300 – $650 per month. Baltimore is known for free or low-cost cultural events. Famous Walters Art Museum, and Baltimore Museum of Art permanent free exhibition. The Inner Harbor also has many street performances and festivals that are free to attend. A movie ticket costs $17.46 in Baltimore averagely. A beauty salon is about $64.35, and for a normal haircut, $29.99 is enough. Shopping a pair of jeans takes around $52.30, and buying a summer dress costs about $63.14. If you plan to join a fitness club, you need to spend around $50.88/month.
| Cost of Entertainment in Baltimore | |
|---|---|
| Item | Average Cost |
| Movie | $17.46 |
| Fitness Club | $50.88 |
| Haircut | $29.99 |
| Beauty Salon | $64.35 |
| Jeans (1 pair) | $52.30 |
| Summer Dress | $63.14 |
| Running Shoes | $92.45 |
| Leather Business Shoes | $111.15 |
Cost of Healthcare in Baltimore City
Baltimore has some of the nation’s top medical institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital, but healthcare costs are high. According to the latest data, Baltimore Maryland cost of living on healthcare is 3% lower than the national average and 9% lower than the Maryland average. The fee for a consultation with a doctor is $159.7 per time, and one-time dentist visit is around $122.39. If you take your lovely furry friends for a veterinary visit, you need to spend about $64.24.
| Cost of Healthcare Services in Baltimore, Maryland | |
|---|---|
| Types | Ave. Cost |
| Doctor Visit | $159.70 |
| Dentist Visit | $122.39 |
| Optometrist Visit | $158.29 |
| Prescription Drug Benchmark | $19.25 |
| Ibuprofen | $12.23 |
| Veterinary Visit | $64.24 |
| Running Shoes | $92.45 |
| Leather Business Shoes | $111.15 |
Conclusion on Baltimore Cost of Living
Overall, Baltimore, Maryland, is an underrated city to live in. Baltimore may not have the prosperity of New York or the sunshine of California, but its reasonable cost of living structure, rich cultural heritage and high-quality education and medical resources make it a “hidden gem” on the East Coast. For young families, students, and remote workers, Baltimore offers the resources of a metropolis balanced with the pressures of a small city.
FAQs About Cost of Living in Baltimore, Maryland
Is Baltimore an affordable city?
Baltimore is considered as one of the most affordable places to live on the East Coast in the US, with lower housing costs and healthcare expenses than the national average. Although the latest Baltimore cost of living is 0.8% higher than the U.S. average, it is even 13% less than the state average.
How much does it cost to live in Baltimore per month?
What is the average rent in Baltimore?
The average rent in Baltimore City is about $1,669 per month. Studios average about $1,330. One-bedroom apartments average $1,585, while two-bedroom apartments cost around $1,779.
What is the cost of living in Baltimore vs Philadelphia?
Baltimore is cheaper than Philadelphia overall. Philadelphia’s cost of living is about 6.3% higher than Baltimore’s. In the same CoStar comparison, average apartment rent is about $1,532 in Baltimore and $1,780 in Philadelphia.
Groceries and transportation also cost more in Philadelphia. Utilities are cheaper in Philadelphia.
Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Washington D.C.?
Living in Baltimore is cheaper than living in Washington, D.C.. The overall living cost in Baltimore is 31% lower than in Washington D.C., with housing rent 35% lower than in D.C. Besides, food, transportation, entertainment, and healthcare are also cheaper in Baltimore. Only the cost of utilities in Baltimore is 1% higher than that in Washington D.C.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Baltimore, MD?
A single adult needs about $87,485 per year to live comfortably in Baltimore. This estimate uses a 50/30/20 budget approach. It allows 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or debt payments.
For basic living needs only, the MIT living wage for one adult with no children is about $21.03 per hour.
Is Baltimore cost of living on housing rent high?
No, Baltimore cost of living on housing rent is 6% lower than the national average, which is budget-friendly to the students and newcomers who plan to rent a contemporary Baltimore housing.
Are Baltimore City taxes high?
Baltimore City has a real property tax rate of $2.248 per $100 of assessed value. This equals 2.248% before applicable credits. Baltimore City’s local income tax rate is 3.2% of Maryland taxable income.
How much does it cost for a student to live in Baltimore?
A student in Baltimore should budget around $2,174 per month during the academic year excluding tuition. Johns Hopkins estimates $19,563 for nine months of off-campus housing, food, books, personal expenses and transportation.
Students can spend less by sharing housing or choosing cheaper student accommodation in Baltimore.
