Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Baltimore, MD and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Baltimore, MD: $2,603 a month against $3,785 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $14,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

126

Cost of Living Index in Baltimore, MD
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Baltimore, MD Living Index
184

Cost of Living Index in Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA Living Index

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Baltimore, MD

🇺🇸 United States

$2,603

/mo nomad

Seattle, WA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,785

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Baltimore, MD and in Seattle, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Baltimore, MD and in Seattle, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,603 in Baltimore, MD versus $3,785 in Seattle, WA.

Baltimore, MD $2,603
Seattle, WA $3,785

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,940 in Baltimore, MD versus $5,688 in Seattle, WA.

Baltimore, MD $3,940
Seattle, WA $5,688

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,277 in Baltimore, MD versus $7,592 in Seattle, WA.

Baltimore, MD $5,277
Seattle, WA $7,592

Living in Baltimore, MD costs roughly 31% less than in Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Baltimore, MD 91% above, Seattle, WA 178% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.89 $17.89

$25.30 $25.30

-29.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$94.6 $94.6

$101 $101

-6.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.58 $10.58

$14.76 $14.76

-28.32%

Cappuccino

$5.20 $5.20

$6.50 $6.50

-20.00%

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

$3.45 $3.45

$3.21 $3.21

7.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$3.14 $3.14

-17.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$7.97 $7.97

-13.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.13 $8.13

-0.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 $1.15

$1.17 $1.17

-1.71%

White Bread (500g)

$4.13 $4.13

$5.30 $5.30

-22.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.25 $4.25

$6.40 $6.40

-33.59%

Eggs

$5.04 $5.04

$5.06 $5.06

-0.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 $12.57

$18.71 $18.71

-32.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.88 $12.88

$18.72 $18.72

-31.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.12 $18.12

$22.88 $22.88

-20.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.90 $5.90

$6.06 $6.06

-2.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.95 $1.95

-21.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.66 $5.66

$5.51 $5.51

2.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$6.52 $6.52

-26.38%

Potato (1kg)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.49 $3.49

-22.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$3.29 $3.29

-12.77%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.80 $2.80

-15.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.58 $2.58

-12.40%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.27 $13.27

$12.49 $12.49

6.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.80 $15.80

$14.87 $14.87

6.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$4.19 $4.19

-36.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.82 $3.82

$5.80 $5.80

-34.14%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$3.05 $3.05

-32.46%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$77.6 $77.6

$106 $106

-26.77%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.58 $2.58

-31.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.64 $1.64

-15.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.89 $23.89

$30.12 $30.12

-20.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.41 $1.41

-24.11%

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

$34.5K $34.5K

$36.8K $36.8K

-6.19%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

0.01%

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

$217 $217

$308 $308

-29.37%

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

$68.1 $68.1

$69.2 $69.2

-1.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$88.8 $88.8

$86.1 $86.1

3.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.25 $47.25

$76.5 $76.5

-38.19%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.67 $47.67

$35.50 $35.50

34.28%

Cinema Ticket

$14.95 $14.95

$18.02 $18.02

-17.04%

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

$1,934 $1,934

$2,746 $2,746

-29.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.0K $35.0K

$30.6K $30.6K

14.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.3 $53.3

$79.2 $79.2

-32.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.1 $62.1

$54.3 $54.3

14.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.0 $94.0

$127 $127

-25.89%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 $111

$159 $159

-29.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,735 $1,735

$2,508 $2,508

-30.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,165 $1,165

$1,938 $1,938

-39.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,179 $2,179

$5,117 $5,117

-57.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,026 $2,026

$3,542 $3,542

-42.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,404 $2,404

$7,374 $7,374

-67.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,214 $2,214

$5,002 $5,002

-55.74%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,375 $4,375

$6,470 $6,470

-32.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.72

6.89

-2.47%

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

Last update for Baltimore, MD: October 26, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Baltimore, MD

$1.2K 44.8%

Seattle, WA

$1.9K 51.2% 66.3% $773

Groceries & Markets

Baltimore, MD

$435 16.7%

Seattle, WA

$547 14.5% 25.8% $112

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Baltimore, MD

$374 14.4%

Seattle, WA

$463 12.2% 23.7% $89

Eating Out

Baltimore, MD

$312 12%

Seattle, WA

$406 10.7% 30.1% $94

Clothing & Footwear

Baltimore, MD

$144 5.6%

Seattle, WA

$189 5% 30.7% $44

Getting Around

Baltimore, MD

$94 3.6%

Seattle, WA

$129 3.4% 36.5% $34

Sport & Entertainment

Baltimore, MD

$77 3%

Seattle, WA

$112 3% 45.8% $35

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,735 in Baltimore, MD and $2,508 in Seattle, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 48% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $95 in Baltimore, MD vs $101 in Seattle, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $435 vs $547 per month, with Baltimore, MD cheaper across the board.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Baltimore, MD

🇺🇸 Seattle, WA

🕒 Local time

23:51 11:51 PM

20:51 8:51 PM

3 h behind Baltimore, MD

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

585,708

737,015

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.896 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Baltimore, MD Seattle, WA 3,750 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight

From you

Baltimore, MD
Seattle, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Baltimore, MD wins on cost – living expenses run 31% lower than in Seattle, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Baltimore, MD the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 32% lower in Baltimore, MD. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,735 in Baltimore, MD versus $2,508 in Seattle, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Seattle, WA. 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 $95 versus $101 in Seattle, WA. 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.

Expats usually find Baltimore, MD gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.