Cost of Living Comparison Between Baltimore, MD and San Clemente, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Baltimore, MD and San Clemente, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,460 in Baltimore, MD versus $3,517 in San Clemente, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,792 in Baltimore, MD versus $5,153 in San Clemente, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,124 in Baltimore, MD versus $6,790 in San Clemente, CA.

Living in Baltimore, MD costs roughly 30% less than in San Clemente, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Baltimore, MD 79% above, San Clemente, CA 156% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.79 $18.79

$24.94 $24.94

-24.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$91.7 $91.7

$98.1 $98.1

-6.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.90 $10.90

$12.45 $12.45

-12.45%

Cappuccino

$5.16 $5.16

$5.88 $5.88

-12.24%

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

$3.56 $3.56

$3.69 $3.69

-3.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.74 $2.74

-2.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.79 $6.79

$7.77 $7.77

-12.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.12 $8.12

$9.38 $9.38

-13.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.12 $1.12

3.57%

White Bread (500g)

$3.63 $3.63

$4.51 $4.51

-19.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$4.78 $4.78

-15.06%

Eggs

$5.09 $5.09

$3.90 $3.90

30.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.89 $12.89

$12.15 $12.15

6.09%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.37 $12.37

$16.24 $16.24

-23.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.63 $18.63

$19.01 $19.01

-2.00%

Apples (1kg)

$5.76 $5.76

$5.54 $5.54

3.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$2.37 $2.37

-38.40%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.86 $5.86

$5.17 $5.17

13.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$5.88 $5.88

-19.39%

Potato (1kg)

$2.97 $2.97

$3.27 $3.27

-9.17%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.92 $2.92

-5.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.07 $2.07

21.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.47 $2.47

-6.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.15 $14.15

$7.47 $7.47

89.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.34 $15.34

$15.24 $15.24

0.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.09 $3.09

-17.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.74 $2.74

36.86%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.83 $2.83

-28.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$46.98 $46.98

60.90%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.82 $1.82

$3.16 $3.16

-42.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.82 $1.82

-26.37%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.97 $23.97

$31.78 $31.78

-24.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$1.29 $1.29

-20.93%

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

$36.5K $36.5K

$28.4K $28.4K

28.35%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$26.2K $26.2K

-1.52%

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

$211 $211

$242 $242

-12.79%

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

$66.4 $66.4

$73.8 $73.8

-10.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.7 $88.7

$82.0 $82.0

8.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.4 $51.4

$44.74 $44.74

14.93%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.67 $46.67

$17.67 $17.67

164.12%

Cinema Ticket

$15.26 $15.26

$15.16 $15.16

0.66%

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

$1,983 $1,983

$1,008 $1,008

96.80%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.8K $34.8K

$32.6K $32.6K

6.83%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.3 $53.3

$68.2 $68.2

-21.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.1 $63.1

$30.49 $30.49

106.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.9 $90.9

$91.0 $91.0

-0.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$152 $152

-25.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,685 $1,685

$2,275 $2,275

-25.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,052 $1,052

$1,896 $1,896

-44.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,224 $2,224

$4,175 $4,175

-46.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,917 $1,917

$3,220 $3,220

-40.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,498 $2,498

$6,353 $6,353

-60.67%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,297 $2,297

$3,185 $3,185

-27.87%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,468 $4,468

$4,037 $4,037

10.70%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.26

5.5

13.82%

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

Last update for Baltimore, MD: August 30, 2026

Last update for San Clemente, CA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,685 in Baltimore, MD and $2,275 in San Clemente, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Baltimore, MD pays 11% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $92.0 in Baltimore, MD vs $98.0 in San Clemente, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $428 vs $463 per month, with Baltimore, MD cheaper across the board.

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 San Clemente, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Baltimore, MD wins on cost – living expenses run 43% lower than in San Clemente, CA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baltimore, MD the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 11% higher in Baltimore, MD, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,685 in Baltimore, MD versus $2,275 in San Clemente, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 8% higher in San Clemente, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Baltimore, MD – a meal for two runs $92.0 versus $98.0 in San Clemente, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

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.

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.

Safety-wise, Baltimore, MD and San Clemente, CA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Baltimore, MD gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in San Clemente, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.