Baltimore vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Baltimore
Nampa
💡 The Verdict
Nampa is 11% cheaper than Baltimore overall. A $75,000 salary in Baltimore is equivalent to $66,509 in Nampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Baltimore (left) vs Nampa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Baltimore versus Nampa. Differences shown from Baltimore perspective.
| Item | Baltimore | Nampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $950/mo | $940/mo | +$10.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,300/mo | $1,340/mo | $-40.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,680/mo | $1,750/mo | $-70.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.66 | $2.23 | +$0.43 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.93 | $3.37 | +$0.56 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.43 | $2.85 | +$0.58 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.60 | $5.26 | +$0.34 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.42 | $2.89 | +$0.53 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.54 | $16.33 | +$1.21 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $66,509 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $84,574 in Baltimore.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $600 difference is driven by Idaho having a higher state income tax rate. Maryland details → · Idaho details →
Reading These Numbers: Baltimore (106) vs Nampa (94)
Baltimore at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Nampa at 94 is 6% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
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 $1,340/mo in Nampa, the annual rent difference is approximately $480.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $2,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $65,000.0 difference in median home prices between Baltimore and Nampa 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 Nampa
Choosing between Baltimore and Nampa 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.
Long-term affordability in Baltimore versus Nampa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.