Austin vs Baltimore

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Maryland salaries

Living in Austin vs Baltimore

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Baltimore sits at 107 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $200,000 in Baltimore, a difference of $230,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,300 in Baltimore.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Austin scores 96 while Baltimore scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Baltimore (101). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $52,164 in Baltimore. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Austin vs Baltimore

If you are considering a move between Austin (index: 107) and Baltimore (index: 106), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Baltimore is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month, while the median household in Baltimore can afford $1,217/month. With median homes at $430,000 in Austin versus $200,000 in Baltimore, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Austin and $1,300/month in Baltimore, renters save significantly in Baltimore. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Austin (107) vs Baltimore (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Austin at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Baltimore at 106 is 6% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Austin and Baltimore land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 106), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Austin scores 123 and Baltimore scores 107. That 16-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Baltimore with indices of 107 versus 123. Median home prices of $430,000 in Austin and $200,000 in Baltimore underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Austin has an edge in groceries and utilities, while Baltimore is more affordable for housing. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Austin and $1,300/month in Baltimore, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $230,000 difference in median home prices between Austin and Baltimore translates to roughly $13,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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