Cost of Living Comparison Between Baltimore, MD and Long Island, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Baltimore, MD and Long Island, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,653 in Baltimore, MD versus $3,572 in Long Island, NY.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,041 in Baltimore, MD versus $5,058 in Long Island, NY.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,429 in Baltimore, MD versus $6,545 in Long Island, NY.

Living in Baltimore, MD costs roughly 26% less than in Long Island, NY, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Baltimore, MD 98% above, Long Island, NY 167% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.62 $19.62
$19.95 $19.95
-1.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7 $80.7
$101 $101
-20.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.14 $10.14
$13.31 $13.31
-23.82%
Cappuccino
$4.94 $4.94
$4.91 $4.91
0.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
$2.43 $2.43
-4.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$1.71 $1.71
29.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.92 $5.92
$6.91 $6.91
-14.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.63 $7.63
$7.94 $7.94
-3.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.20 $1.20
-12.50%
White Bread (500g)
$3.78 $3.78
$3.73 $3.73
1.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$4.85 $4.85
-4.95%
Eggs
$4.45 $4.45
$4.70 $4.70
-5.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.28 $13.28
$17.42 $17.42
-23.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.77 $9.77
$12.04 $12.04
-18.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.19 $16.19
$15.15 $15.15
6.86%
Apples (1kg)
$6.83 $6.83
$4.96 $4.96
37.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.70 $1.70
-7.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.06 $7.06
$3.90 $3.90
81.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.27 $5.27
$4.26 $4.26
23.71%
Potato (1kg)
$2.70 $2.70
$2.80 $2.80
-3.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
$3.96 $3.96
-23.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 $2.41
$2.31 $2.31
4.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.27 $2.27
22.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.70 $12.70
$11.84 $11.84
7.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.05 $15.05
$14.87 $14.87
1.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.36 $2.36
$1.69 $1.69
39.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.07 $4.07
$3.94 $3.94
3.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.88 $2.88
-12.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.8 $75.8
$130 $130
-41.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.98 $2.98
-40.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 $1.35
$2.11 $2.11
-36.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.93 $23.93
$23.64 $23.64
1.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$0.90 $0.90
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$23.8K $23.8K
7.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.9K $24.9K
5.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$174 $174
$123 $123
41.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.9 $57.9
$45.78 $45.78
26.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.1 $80.1
$61.7 $61.7
29.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.7 $56.7
$33.64 $33.64
68.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.13 $30.13
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.10 $15.10
$12.92 $12.92
16.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,299 $1,299
$2,283 $2,283
-43.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$34.0K $34.0K
$23.4K $23.4K
45.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9 $50.9
$40.60 $40.60
25.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$73.6 $73.6
$64.2 $64.2
14.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.9 $84.9
$74.0 $74.0
14.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$131 $131
-15.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,882 $1,882
$2,332 $2,332
-19.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,328 $1,328
$2,286 $2,286
-41.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,284 $3,284
$4,114 $4,114
-20.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,274 $2,274
$3,552 $3,552
-35.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,450 $2,450
$4,329 $4,329
-43.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,346 $2,346
$4,328 $4,328
-45.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baltimore, MD
Long Island, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,227 $4,227
$4,959 $4,959
-14.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
6.44
2.33%

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

Last update for Baltimore, MD: June 2, 2026

Last update for Long Island, NY: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,882 in Baltimore, MD and $2,332 in Long Island, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Long Island, NY pays 17% 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 Baltimore, MD vs $101 in Long Island, NY. Groceries flip the comparison at $427 vs $416, with Long Island, NY cheaper for home cooking.

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 Long Island, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Baltimore, MD or Long Island, NY?
Baltimore, MD wins on cost – living expenses run 35% lower than in Long Island, NY. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baltimore, MD the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Baltimore, MD or Long Island, NY?
On paper, Long Island, NY earns 17% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Baltimore, MD vs Long Island, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,882 in Baltimore, MD versus $2,332 in Long Island, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Baltimore, MD or Long Island, NY?
Shoppers in Long Island, NY pay roughly 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How do dining costs compare in Baltimore, MD vs Long Island, NY?
Dining out is cheaper in Baltimore, MD – a meal for two runs $81.0 versus $101 in Long Island, NY. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Baltimore, MD or Long Island, NY?
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.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Baltimore, MD or Long Island, NY?
Both work as nomad bases, but Baltimore, MD delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,653 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Baltimore, MD hard to pass up.
How safe is Baltimore, MD compared to Long Island, NY?
Safety-wise, Baltimore, MD and Long Island, NY are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Baltimore, MD gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Long Island, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Baltimore, MD vs other spots: cost of living compared

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