Baltimore vs Cleveland: cost of living compared
Cleveland is 31% cheaper than Baltimore overall. State income tax tops out around 3.5% in OH vs 4.75% in MD.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving from Cleveland to Baltimore generally means a significantly higher cost of living. Baltimore's overall expenses are noticeably above the national average, while Cleveland's are well below. This substantial difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are considerably more expensive in Baltimore, but extends across most other spending categories as well.
Housing
Housing presents a major cost difference. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Baltimore compared to Cleveland. Baltimore features a mix of historic rowhouses and newer developments, often with higher property taxes and insurance costs. Cleveland offers more affordable housing options, including older, established neighborhoods with varied architectural styles, and generally lower associated ownership expenses.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all higher in Baltimore. Commuting times are also generally longer in Baltimore. Additionally, Maryland's state income tax rate is somewhat higher than Ohio's, impacting take-home pay. These factors combine to make routine spending noticeably more expensive in Baltimore than in Cleveland.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Baltimore, a larger East Coast city, offers a more dense urban environment with a historic character and proximity to major metropolitan areas. It has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild to cool winters. Cleveland, a Great Lakes city, experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. It generally offers a more relaxed pace and slightly shorter average commutes.
Bottom line
For households considering a move between these two metros, the financial impact is considerable. Baltimore consistently presents a higher cost across nearly all categories, with housing being the most significant differentiator. A move to Cleveland would likely result in substantial savings on everyday expenses, while a move to Baltimore would require a larger budget for comparable living standards.
| Measure | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 82 |
| Housing index | 100 | 57 |
| Transportation index | 118 | 91 |
| Food index | 105 | 90 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 92 |
| Utilities index | 112 | 98 |
| Misc index | 105 | 82 |
| Median home price | $348,000 | $188,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,550/mo | $950/mo |
| Average commute | 33 min | 26 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Cleveland home with the True Cost Calculator.