Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Alpharetta, GA and Baltimore, MD

For one person, living is cheaper in Baltimore, MD: $2,499 a month against $3,015 in Alpharetta, GA, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Alpharetta, GA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,015
/mo nomad
Baltimore, MD
🇺🇸 United States
$2,499
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Alpharetta, GA and in Baltimore, MD

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Alpharetta, GA and in Baltimore, MD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,015 in Alpharetta, GA versus $2,499 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Alpharetta, GA $3,015
  • Baltimore, MD $2,499

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,418 in Alpharetta, GA versus $3,913 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Alpharetta, GA $4,418
  • Baltimore, MD $3,913

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,822 in Alpharetta, GA versus $5,327 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Alpharetta, GA $5,822
  • Baltimore, MD $5,327

Living in Alpharetta, GA is roughly 21% more expensive than in Baltimore, MD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Alpharetta, GA 123% above, Baltimore, MD 85% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.92 $25.92
$17.77 $17.77
45.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.2 $81.2
$96.2 $96.2
-15.64%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.82 $9.82
$10.82 $10.82
-9.24%
Cappuccino
$4.87 $4.87
$5.24 $5.24
-7.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$3.43 $3.43
-26.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 $2.11
$2.62 $2.62
-19.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.78 $5.78
$7.03 $7.03
-17.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.40 $7.40
$7.92 $7.92
-6.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.15 $1.15
-19.13%
White Bread (500g)
$4.25 $4.25
$4.16 $4.16
2.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.73 $5.73
$4.09 $4.09
40.10%
Eggs
$4.58 $4.58
$4.80 $4.80
-4.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.41 $11.41
$12.75 $12.75
-10.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.73 $8.73
$12.73 $12.73
-31.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.39 $20.39
$18.47 $18.47
10.40%
Apples (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$5.90 $5.90
-21.86%
Banana (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.52 $1.52
40.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$5.75 $5.75
-26.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.84 $4.84
-8.88%
Potato (1kg)
$3.65 $3.65
$2.81 $2.81
29.89%
Onion (1kg)
$3.71 $3.71
$2.90 $2.90
27.93%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.39 $2.39
$2.40 $2.40
-0.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.29 $2.29
20.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.94 $8.94
$14.13 $14.13
-36.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.79 $14.79
$15.40 $15.40
-3.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.59 $2.59
-33.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.91 $3.91
0.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.06 $2.06
42.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$94.2 $94.2
$78.0 $78.0
20.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.08 $3.08
$1.75 $1.75
76.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.37 $2.37
$1.38 $1.38
71.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.78 $40.78
$24.39 $24.39
67.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$1.03 $1.03
-12.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.5K $32.5K
$36.4K $36.4K
-10.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.5K $25.5K
2.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$252 $252
$216 $216
16.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.7 $53.7
$65.8 $65.8
-18.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.4 $87.4
$89.3 $89.3
-2.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.02 $34.02
$50.2 $50.2
-32.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.25 $22.25
$48.01 $48.01
-53.66%
Cinema Ticket
$16.81 $16.81
$15.23 $15.23
10.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,298 $1,298
$1,980 $1,980
-34.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.0K $16.0K
$35.6K $35.6K
-54.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.0 $77.0
$53.1 $53.1
45.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.98 $44.98
$63.4 $63.4
-29.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 $128
$91.9 $91.9
38.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 $139
$112 $112
23.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,105 $2,105
$1,751 $1,751
20.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,488 $1,488
$1,060 $1,060
40.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,000 $3,000
$2,362 $2,362
27.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,491 $2,491
$2,064 $2,064
20.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,659 $7,659
$2,512 $2,512
204.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,366 $5,366
$2,353 $2,353
128.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Alpharetta, GA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,390 $6,390
$4,460 $4,460
43.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.84
6.72
1.79%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Alpharetta, GA: October 12, 2026

Last update for Baltimore, MD: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Alpharetta, GA
$1.5K
Baltimore, MD
$1.1K 28.7% $427
Groceries & Markets
Alpharetta, GA
$414
Baltimore, MD
$435 4.9% $20
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alpharetta, GA
$393
Baltimore, MD
$371 5.5% $22
Eating Out
Alpharetta, GA
$357
Baltimore, MD
$313 12.5% $45
Clothing & Footwear
Alpharetta, GA
$175
Baltimore, MD
$144 17.5% $31
Getting Around
Alpharetta, GA
$121
Baltimore, MD
$95 21.5% $26
Sport & Entertainment
Alpharetta, GA
$68
Baltimore, MD
$81 19.2% $13

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,105 in Alpharetta, GA and $1,751 in Baltimore, MD. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Alpharetta, GA pays 43% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $81.0 in Alpharetta, GA vs $96.0 in Baltimore, MD for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $414 vs $435 per month, with Alpharetta, GA cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Alpharetta, GA
🇺🇸 Baltimore, MD
🕒 Local time
08:34 8:34 AM
08:34 8:34 AM
Same time as Alpharetta, GA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
65,799
585,708
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.889 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Alpharetta, GA Baltimore, MD 900 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Alpharetta, GA
  • Baltimore, MD

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Alpharetta, GA vs Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore, MD cheaper than Alpharetta, GA?
Baltimore, MD is cheaper overall, especially in eating out, clothing, and transport. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Alpharetta, GA or Baltimore, MD?
Average pay runs 43% higher in Alpharetta, GA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Alpharetta, GA and Baltimore, MD?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,105 in Alpharetta, GA versus $1,751 in Baltimore, MD. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Baltimore, MD runs roughly 21% less than in Alpharetta, GA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $1,298 in Alpharetta, GA versus $1,980 in Baltimore, MD. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,000 enough to cover costs in Alpharetta, GA or in Baltimore, MD?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Baltimore, MD is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Alpharetta, GA or in Baltimore, MD?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Baltimore, MD gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Alpharetta, GA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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