City Comparison

Baltimore vs Hollywood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baltimore

Maryland
106
Above Average
$200,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$52,164
Median Income

Hollywood

Florida
111
Above Average
$424,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$60,300
Median Income

The Verdict

4.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.5%, with Baltimore being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to $78,538 in Hollywood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
107
Baltimore
130
Hollywood
Groceries
103
Baltimore
104
Hollywood
Utilities
110
Baltimore
96
Hollywood
Transportation
106
Baltimore
113
Hollywood
Healthcare
101
Baltimore
96
Hollywood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $78,538 in Hollywood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $71,622 in Baltimore.

Living in Baltimore vs Hollywood

Housing Costs

Baltimore's housing index of 107 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $424,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore vs $494/month in Hollywood. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Baltimore and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $384 in Hollywood. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Baltimore and 96 in Hollywood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,164 in Baltimore and $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 and $54,324 respectively. Hollywood residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baltimore is 4.5% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,538 in Hollywood, based on the cost of living difference.
Baltimore's housing index is 107 with median homes at $200,000, while Hollywood's is 130 with median homes at $424,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases