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 $2,688 per month in Baltimore, MD vs $3,008 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,063 per month in Baltimore, MD vs $4,264 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,437 per month in Baltimore, MD vs $5,520 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Baltimore, MD is about 11% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Baltimore, MD and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Baltimore, MD by 101%, Auburn, CA by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.93 $19.93

$24.54 $24.54

-18.79%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.5 $80.5

$89.0 $89.0

-9.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.13 $10.13

$11.88 $11.88

-14.73%

Cappuccino

$5.12 $5.12

$4.69 $4.69

9.17%

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

$2.37 $2.37

$2.61 $2.61

-9.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.24 $2.24

-2.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.83 $5.83

$4.88 $4.88

19.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.30 $7.30

$6.79 $6.79

7.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.23 $1.23

-13.82%

White Bread (500g)

$3.94 $3.94

$4.30 $4.30

-8.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.61 $4.61

$6.21 $6.21

-25.76%

Eggs

$4.24 $4.24

$3.16 $3.16

34.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.57 $13.57

$21.01 $21.01

-35.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.92 $9.92

$14.62 $14.62

-32.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.24 $16.24

$16.94 $16.94

-4.13%

Apples (1kg)

$7.06 $7.06

$7.85 $7.85

-10.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.75 $1.75

-6.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$7.04 $7.04

$6.49 $6.49

8.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$6.27 $6.27

-15.63%

Potato (1kg)

$2.69 $2.69

$4.46 $4.46

-39.69%

Onion (1kg)

$3.01 $3.01

$3.50 $3.50

-14.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.95 $1.95

24.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.22 $2.22

19.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.37 $12.37

$10.88 $10.88

13.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.21 $15.21

$11.94 $11.94

27.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.46 $1.46

55.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

$1.97 $1.97

98.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.02 $2.02

26.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.9 $76.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.85 $1.85

$3.46 $3.46

-46.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.98 $1.98

-30.30%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.59 $23.59

$39.39 $39.39

-40.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$1.31 $1.31

-35.11%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$23.8K $23.8K

7.28%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$24.6K $24.6K

4.66%

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

$173 $173

$270 $270

-35.83%

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

$56.5 $56.5

$50.4 $50.4

12.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.5 $78.5

$71.7 $71.7

9.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.6 $56.6

$65.0 $65.0

-12.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.27 $30.27

Cinema Ticket

$15.18 $15.18

$14.66 $14.66

3.55%

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

$1,298 $1,298

$2,693 $2,693

-51.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.9K $32.9K

$6,059 $6,059

442.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.6 $50.6

$53.4 $53.4

-5.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$71.8 $71.8

$40.09 $40.09

79.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.1 $86.1

$64.6 $64.6

33.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$125 $125

-11.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,846 $1,846

$1,876 $1,876

-1.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,319 $1,319

$1,571 $1,571

-16.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,370 $3,370

$2,764 $2,764

21.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,284 $2,284

$2,325 $2,325

-1.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,537 $2,537

$3,259 $3,259

-22.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,297 $2,297

$2,721 $2,721

-15.59%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,332 $4,332

$4,035 $4,035

7.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.59

6.55

0.61%

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

Last update for Baltimore, MD: July 13, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,846 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,876 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 7% 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 $81.0 in Baltimore, MD versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $429 vs $477 – making Baltimore, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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: $2,688 in Baltimore, MD, $3,008 in Auburn, CA – roughly 12% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,032 per month in Baltimore, MD and $4,512 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,688 in Baltimore, MD and $3,008 in Auburn, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,298 per month in Baltimore, MD and $2,693 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,688 in Baltimore, MD and $3,008 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.