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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Baltimore, MD is about 21% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.79 $18.79

$25.26 $25.26

-25.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$91.7 $91.7

$88.6 $88.6

3.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.90 $10.90

$12.02 $12.02

-9.32%

Cappuccino

$5.16 $5.16

$4.78 $4.78

7.95%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 $3.56

$2.54 $2.54

40.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.19 $2.19

21.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.79 $6.79

$5.11 $5.11

32.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.12 $8.12

$6.90 $6.90

17.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.26 $1.26

-7.94%

White Bread (500g)

$3.63 $3.63

$4.54 $4.54

-20.04%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$6.98 $6.98

-41.83%

Eggs

$5.09 $5.09

$3.27 $3.27

55.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.89 $12.89

$22.42 $22.42

-42.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.37 $12.37

$16.21 $16.21

-23.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.63 $18.63

$15.72 $15.72

18.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.76 $5.76

$6.66 $6.66

-13.51%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.72 $1.72

-15.12%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.86 $5.86

$6.52 $6.52

-10.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$6.00 $6.00

-21.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.97 $2.97

$5.13 $5.13

-42.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$3.10 $3.10

-10.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.05 $2.05

22.93%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.23 $2.23

3.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.15 $14.15

$11.61 $11.61

21.88%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.34 $15.34

$12.14 $12.14

26.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.40 $1.40

81.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.05 $2.05

82.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$3.42 $3.42

-41.23%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$89.6 $89.6

-15.63%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.82 $1.82

$3.27 $3.27

-44.34%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 $1.34

$2.37 $2.37

-43.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.97 $23.97

$39.83 $39.83

-39.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$1.25 $1.25

-18.40%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.5K $36.5K

$32.3K $32.3K

12.69%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$24.0K $24.0K

7.51%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$211 $211

$191 $191

10.69%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$50.6 $50.6

31.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.7 $88.7

$67.6 $67.6

31.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.4 $51.4

$64.9 $64.9

-20.77%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.67 $46.67

Cinema Ticket

$15.26 $15.26

$15.03 $15.03

1.53%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,983 $1,983

$2,817 $2,817

-29.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.8K $34.8K

$5,898 $5,898

490.51%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.3 $53.3

$69.7 $69.7

-23.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.1 $63.1

$45.85 $45.85

37.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.9 $90.9

$110 $110

-17.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$144 $144

-22.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,685 $1,685

$1,834 $1,834

-8.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,052 $1,052

$1,591 $1,591

-33.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,224 $2,224

$2,799 $2,799

-20.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,917 $1,917

$2,311 $2,311

-17.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,498 $2,498

$3,265 $3,265

-23.47%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,297 $2,297

$2,711 $2,711

-15.26%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,468 $4,468

$3,975 $3,975

12.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.26

6.1

2.62%

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

Last update for Baltimore, MD: August 30, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,685 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,834 in Auburn, CA. 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 $92.0 in Baltimore, MD versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $428 in Baltimore, MD vs $486 in Auburn, CA – 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

Baltimore, MD vs Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,460 in Baltimore, MD, $3,112 in Auburn, CA – roughly 27% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,690 per month in Baltimore, MD and $4,668 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $1,983 per month in Baltimore, MD and $2,817 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,460 in Baltimore, MD and $3,112 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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.

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.