Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,112 per month in Auburn, CA vs $2,460 in Baltimore, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,434 per month in Auburn, CA vs $3,792 in Baltimore, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,756 per month in Auburn, CA vs $5,124 in Baltimore, MD, rent included.

Auburn, CA costs about 27% more than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD sit above the global median – Auburn, CA by 127%, Baltimore, MD by 79%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.26 $25.26
$18.79 $18.79
34.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.6 $88.6
$91.7 $91.7
-3.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.02 $12.02
$10.90 $10.90
10.28%
Cappuccino
$4.78 $4.78
$5.16 $5.16
-7.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$3.56 $3.56
-28.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.67 $2.67
-17.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.11 $5.11
$6.79 $6.79
-24.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.90 $6.90
$8.12 $8.12
-15.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.16 $1.16
8.62%
White Bread (500g)
$4.54 $4.54
$3.63 $3.63
25.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.98 $6.98
$4.06 $4.06
71.92%
Eggs
$3.27 $3.27
$5.09 $5.09
-35.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.42 $22.42
$12.89 $12.89
73.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.21 $16.21
$12.37 $12.37
31.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.72 $15.72
$18.63 $18.63
-15.62%
Apples (1kg)
$6.66 $6.66
$5.76 $5.76
15.63%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.46 $1.46
17.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$5.86 $5.86
11.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.00 $6.00
$4.74 $4.74
26.58%
Potato (1kg)
$5.13 $5.13
$2.97 $2.97
72.73%
Onion (1kg)
$3.10 $3.10
$2.77 $2.77
11.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.52 $2.52
-18.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.23 $2.23
$2.30 $2.30
-3.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.61 $11.61
$14.15 $14.15
-17.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.14 $12.14
$15.34 $15.34
-20.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 $1.40
$2.54 $2.54
-44.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$3.75 $3.75
-45.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.42 $3.42
$2.01 $2.01
70.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$89.6 $89.6
$75.6 $75.6
18.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.27 $3.27
$1.82 $1.82
79.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.37 $2.37
$1.34 $1.34
76.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$39.83 $39.83
$23.97 $23.97
66.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$1.02 $1.02
22.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.3K $32.3K
$36.5K $36.5K
-11.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K $24.0K
$25.8K $25.8K
-6.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 $191
$211 $211
-9.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.6 $50.6
$66.4 $66.4
-23.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.6 $67.6
$88.7 $88.7
-23.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.9 $64.9
$51.4 $51.4
26.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$46.67 $46.67
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 $15.03
$15.26 $15.26
-1.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,817 $2,817
$1,983 $1,983
42.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,898 $5,898
$34.8K $34.8K
-83.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.7 $69.7
$53.3 $53.3
30.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.85 $45.85
$63.1 $63.1
-27.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 $110
$90.9 $90.9
20.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144 $144
$112 $112
28.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,834 $1,834
$1,685 $1,685
8.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,591 $1,591
$1,052 $1,052
51.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,799 $2,799
$2,224 $2,224
25.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,311 $2,311
$1,917 $1,917
20.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,265 $3,265
$2,498 $2,498
30.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,711 $2,711
$2,297 $2,297
18.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Auburn, CA
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,975 $3,975
$4,468 $4,468
-11.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.1
6.26
-2.56%

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

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Baltimore, MD: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,834 in Auburn, CA versus $1,685 in Baltimore, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 12% higher in Baltimore, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Auburn, CA versus $92.0 in Baltimore, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $486 in Auburn, CA vs $428 in Baltimore, MD – so Baltimore, MD wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Auburn, CA vs Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Auburn, CA and in Baltimore, MD compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,112 in Auburn, CA, $2,460 in Baltimore, MD – roughly 27% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Auburn, CA compared to Baltimore, MD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,668 per month in Auburn, CA and $3,690 in Baltimore, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Baltimore, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD?
Kindergarten costs $2,817 per month in Auburn, CA and $1,983 in Baltimore, MD. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,112 in Auburn, CA and $2,460 in Baltimore, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should families live: Auburn, CA or Baltimore, MD?
Families tend to lean toward Baltimore, MD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Auburn, CA and Baltimore, MD?
If budget matters most, go with Baltimore, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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