Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Baltimore, MD?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 63.5% more expensive than Baltimore, MD. This translates to spending an extra $4762 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Baltimore, MD?

If you earn $150,000 in Baltimore, MD, you'd need approximately $207,141.509 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Baltimore, MD and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 148.5% more expensive than in Baltimore, MD. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,770/month in Baltimore, MD.

How much can I save per month by moving from Baltimore, MD to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $4762 more per month than Baltimore, MD, or $57142 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Baltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Baltimore, MD

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.8K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $207.1K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 63.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,762

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$57.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Baltimore, MD

Population:586K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$218K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

163

(63% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Baltimore, MD

The Old Line State

586K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maryland, this city has a population of 586K residents.

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Baltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Baltimore, MD	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,118/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $4,631more	148.5%
Transportation	$1,380/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $779more	56.4%
All Utilities	$607/mo	$557/mo	↓ $49.18less	8.1%
Groceries	$1,089/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $48.96less	4.5%
Healthcare	$589/mo	$554/mo	↓ $34.70less	5.9%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,731/mo	↑ $23.44more	1.4%

Housing

↑ 148.5%

Baltimore, MD

$3,118

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$4,631

Transportation

↑ 56.4%

Baltimore, MD

$1,380

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$779

All Utilities

↓ 8.1%

Baltimore, MD

$607

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$49.18

less

Groceries

↓ 4.5%

Baltimore, MD

$1,089

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$48.96

less

Healthcare

↓ 5.9%

Baltimore, MD

$589

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$34.70

less

Other

↑ 1.4%

Baltimore, MD

$1,707

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$23.44

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Baltimore, MD: Baltimore City Income Tax$4,800/yr (3.2%)

Los Angeles, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,270

To$1,910

↑ $640

1 Bed

From$1,450

To$2,135

↑ $685

2 Bed

From$1,770

To$2,660

↑ $890

3 Bed

From$2,280

To$3,370

↑ $1,090

Baltimore, MDZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,450–$1,790/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,490

Monthly in Baltimore, MD

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,300

Difference

Home Values

Baltimore

Los Angeles

$218K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +20%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$72K - $469K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 307% more expensive than Baltimore

Calculate payment - Baltimore Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$281

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Baltimore, MD

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maryland State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,811/month

$105.7K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Baltimore, MD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.