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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
The numbers are clear: 1 of 1 cities in Maryland beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 112. Baltimore stands out at 96 on the index, with rent of $1,708/month and household income of $59,623. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
#1 Ranked: Baltimore — cost index 96, rent $1,708/mo, income $59,623
1 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $75K 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% | $53,397 |
The numbers are clear: 1 of 1 cities in Maryland beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 112. Baltimore stands out at 96 on the index, with rent of $1,708/month and household income of $59,623. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
On a $75K salary, the key number is $1,875/month — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Baltimore ($1,708/mo, 27%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $53,397 to $53,397/year across these top picks.
Baltimore earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 96 cost index sits 16 points below the national baseline, and the $59,623 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 (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
If you only look at rent, it's perfect. Zoom out and it's complicated. In Baltimore, the healthcare index sits at 99 — not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing about.
What to do with this data: use the ranking as a shortlist, then dig into the city profiles for trend lines and category breakdowns. The difference between #1 and #5 is often smaller than the difference between "good on paper" and "actually fits my life." Compare your top picks with our calculator to see real take-home numbers.
565,239 residents · Maryland
The #1 spot goes to Baltimore, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,708/month — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — — 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.
Baltimore ranks #1 in Maryland for this analysis with a cost index of 96 and median income of $59,623.
Yes. On a $75K salary in Baltimore, rent would consume about 27% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
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 $75K in Baltimore is approximately $53,397/year ($4,450/month). After median rent of $1,708/month, you'd have roughly $32,901/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.