Baltimore vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Baltimore
Kent
💡 The Verdict
Baltimore is 9% cheaper than Kent overall. A $75,000 salary in Baltimore is equivalent to $82,783 in Kent.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Baltimore (left) vs Kent (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Baltimore versus Kent. Differences shown from Baltimore perspective.
| Item | Baltimore | Kent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $950/mo | $1,280/mo | $-330.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,300/mo | $1,720/mo | $-420.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,680/mo | $2,340/mo | $-660.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.66 | $3.27 | $-0.61 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.93 | $4.00 | $-0.07 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.43 | $3.66 | $-0.23 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.60 | $6.28 | $-0.68 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.42 | $3.73 | $-0.31 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.54 | $17.57 | $-0.03 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $82,783 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $67,949 in Baltimore.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3751 difference is driven by Maryland having a higher state income tax rate. Maryland details → · Washington details →
Reading These Numbers: Baltimore (106) vs Kent (117)
Baltimore at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Kent at 117 is 17% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Baltimore, the composite index of 106 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 107, followed by groceries (103), utilities (110), transportation (106), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/mo in Baltimore and $1,720/mo in Kent, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,040.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $25,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $171,000.0 difference in median home prices between Baltimore and Kent translates to meaningful differences 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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Making Your Decision: Baltimore vs Kent
Choosing between Baltimore and Kent involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Baltimore against Kent, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.