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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. Take it or leave it — the data is what it is. 1 out of 1 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Baltimore at index 100, where median rent of $1,708/month saves renters $2,244/year versus the national median.
#1 Ranked: Baltimore — cost index 100, rent $1,708/mo, income $59,623
1 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K 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. Take it or leave it — the data is what it is. 1 out of 1 cities undercut the national cost index of 111. Leading the pack: Baltimore at index 100, where median rent of $1,708/month saves renters $2,244/year versus the national median.
On a $150K salary, the key number is $3,750/month — this is the part where it gets real — — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Baltimore ($1,708/mo, 14%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $100,858 to $100,858/year across these top picks.
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, Healthcare is the standout at index 100, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 100. The 34% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended (that's pre-tax, of course).
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
In plain English: Why Baltimore ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. And depending on your situation, at 100 on the cost index, residents save roughly 11% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,708/month while the median household pulls in $59,623/year. The Healthcare category is particularly strong at 100, though Healthcare (100) lags behind. Home prices average $187,545 — $279,825 below the national median.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Baltimore | 5.75% | 6% | 0.87% | $100,858 |
Baltimore ranks #1 in Maryland for this analysis with a cost index of 100 and median income of $59,623.
Yes. On a $150K salary in Baltimore, rent would consume about 14% 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 $150K in Baltimore is approximately $100,858/year ($8,405/month). After median rent of $1,708/month, you'd have roughly $80,362/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.