Loading
Assembling your view…
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Maryland is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Baltimore leads at an index of 96 — for better or worse — with rent at just $1,708/month — 10% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data up…
#1 Ranked: Baltimore — cost index 96, rent $1,708/mo, income $59,623
0 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $40K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Baltimore | 5.75% | 6% | 0.87% | $30,072 |
Maryland is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Baltimore leads at an index of 96 — for better or worse — with rent at just $1,708/month — 10% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
The #1 spot goes to Baltimore, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,708/month — saving renters $2,244 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 88, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 99. The 34% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended.
On a $40K salary, the key number is $1,000/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. About what you'd guess. Baltimore ($1,708/mo, 51%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $30,072 to $30,072/year across these top picks.
But the numbers also reveal: The 1 cities we track in Maryland paint a clearly affordable picture. Average cost index: 96. Median rent: $1,708/month. Household income: $59,623. Maryland is known for DC-adjacent salaries with suburban costs — and the data backs that reputation convincingly.
Bottom line: Baltimore leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
565,239 residents · Maryland
Real talk: Dive into Baltimore's numbers: cost index 96 (16 points below national average), rent $1,708/month, income $59,623, and a home price of $187,545. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Utilities is the cheapest category at 88, while Healthcare runs 99. As a major city with 565,239 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.
We calculate what percentage of a $40K gross salary goes to median rent. Cities where rent consumes less of your paycheck rank higher. We also factor in estimated take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax. All data is sourced from federal agencies and verified research institutions. Cost of living indices are normalized to 100 (national median) using Zillow rent as the primary signal, with sub-category adjustments derived from regional BLS price data. Rankings are updated monthly as new data is released.
Baltimore ranks #1 in Maryland for this analysis with a cost index of 96 and median income of $59,623.
Yes. On a $40K salary in Baltimore, rent would consume about 51% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. It's tight — consider a roommate or nearby suburb.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Baltimore is $1,708/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $187 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 5.75% state income tax, estimated take-home on $40K in Baltimore is approximately $30,072/year ($2,506/month). After median rent of $1,708/month, you'd have roughly $9,576/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Baltimore is $187,545, which is 3.1× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Maryland has a 5.75% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 6%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.