⚖️ City Comparison

Baltimore vs Roseville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Baltimore

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

Roseville

California
128
Expensive
$434,000
Median Home
$1,780/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

17% Cheaper

Baltimore is 17% cheaper than Roseville overall. A $75,000 salary in Baltimore is equivalent to $90,566 in Roseville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Baltimore (left) vs Roseville (right). National average = 100.

Housing
107
Housing
132
Groceries
103
Groceries
126
Utilities
110
Utilities
130
Transportation
106
Transportation
134
Healthcare
101
Healthcare
131

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Baltimore versus Roseville. Differences shown from Baltimore perspective.

ItemBaltimoreRosevilleDifference
1-Bed Rent$950/mo$1,200/mo$-250.00
2-Bed Rent$1,300/mo$1,780/mo$-480.00
3-Bed Rent$1,680/mo$2,360/mo$-680.00
Bread (loaf)$2.66$3.74$-1.08
Milk (gallon)$3.93$4.96$-1.03
Eggs (dozen)$3.43$3.88$-0.45
Coffee (latte)$5.60$7.07$-1.47
Gas (gallon)$3.42$4.00$-0.58
Restaurant Meal$17.54$18.92$-1.38

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $90,566 in Roseville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roseville equals $62,109 in Baltimore.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$53,887
Baltimore (Maryland)
$52,987
Roseville (California)

The $900 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Maryland details → · California details →

⚙️ Customize Your Comparison

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106 vs 128

Reading These Numbers: Baltimore (106) vs Roseville (128)

Baltimore at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Roseville at 128 is 28% above 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 $1,780/mo in Roseville, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,760.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $28,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $234,000.0 difference in median home prices between Baltimore and Roseville 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 Roseville

Choosing between Baltimore and Roseville 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 Roseville 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.