Rent vs Buy Calculator for Baltimore, MD
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Baltimore's price-to-rent ratio is 20.5 — generally favoring renting unless you plan to stay long-term. Median rent is $1,300/mo vs a $320,000 purchase price.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Baltimore local data
How Baltimore Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Baltimore stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $320,000 | $420,800 | -24.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,300 | $1,713 | -24.1% |
| Median Household Income | $71,000 | $74,580 | -4.8% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.09% | 1.10% | -0.9% |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 100 | +7.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Baltimore Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 2,890,000
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Avg Commute
- 32 min
- Median Age
- 37.5
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 20.5x
- Annual Property Tax
- $3,488
Frequently Asked Questions — Baltimore
What is the median home price in Baltimore, MD?
The median home price in Baltimore is $320,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Baltimore?
Median monthly rent in Baltimore is $1,300. That works out to $15,600/year, or 22% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Baltimore affordable?
Baltimore's cost of living index is 107 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $71,000/year and a median home price of $320,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.5x. Baltimore falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Baltimore?
The effective property tax rate in Baltimore is 1.09% of assessed value. On the median home of $320,000, that's roughly $3,488/year ($291/month).