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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, few states match Maryland's value. 1 out of 1 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Baltimore at index 96, where median rent of $1,708/month saves renters $2,244/year versus the national median (which, to be fair, is a metric that favors smaller cities)…
#1 Ranked: Baltimore — cost index 96, rent $1,708/mo, income $59,623
0 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $60K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
Dollar for dollar, few states match Maryland's value. 1 out of 1 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Baltimore at index 96, where median rent of $1,708/month saves renters $2,244/year versus the national median (which, to be fair, is a metric that favors smaller cities). Solidly above average.
Baltimore earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. And with some exceptions, the 96 cost index sits 16 points below the national baseline, and the $59,623 — for better or worse — median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $187,545 — $279,825 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 88, while Healthcare trails at 99 (that's pre-tax, of course).
On a $60K salary, the key number is $1,500/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Baltimore ($1,708/mo, 34%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $43,707 to $43,707/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
Baltimore is one of the cheaper options here. Rent is $1,708/month, which is lower than most cities in this ranking. The cost index is 96. Income sits at $59,623. It's fine. Not great, not bad.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Baltimore | 5.75% | 6% | 0.87% | $43,707 |
Baltimore ranks #1 in Maryland for this analysis with a cost index of 96 and median income of $59,623.
Yes. On a $60K salary in Baltimore, rent would consume about 34% 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 $60K in Baltimore is approximately $43,707/year ($3,642/month). After median rent of $1,708/month, you'd have roughly $23,211/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.