Chicago vs Baltimore

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Maryland salaries

Living in Chicago vs Baltimore

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Baltimore sits at 107 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $200,000 in Baltimore, a difference of $110,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,300 in Baltimore.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Baltimore scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) match Baltimore (101). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $52,164 in Baltimore. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Chicago vs Baltimore

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and Baltimore (index: 106), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Baltimore is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in Baltimore can afford $1,217/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $200,000 in Baltimore, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,300/month in Baltimore, renters save significantly in Baltimore. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Baltimore (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Baltimore at 106 is 6% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Chicago and Baltimore land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 106), so the overall cost picture is similar. Utilities shows the widest single-category margin at 100 versus 110, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Chicago and Baltimore. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Chicago at 112 and Baltimore at 107 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $310,000 and $200,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Chicago has an edge in utilities, while Baltimore is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,300/month in Baltimore, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $110,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Baltimore translates to roughly $6,600 per month 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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