Chicago wins overall by ~3% (COL index)
Cost of living: Baltimore vs Chicago (2026)
A $63,500 salary in Baltimore buys roughly what $61,768 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$239/yr
Favoring Chicago for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $20/mo in Chicago, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Baltimore Maryland | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,500 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900Better | $1,900 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,500Better | $2,600 | Baltimore wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Baltimore |
| Median home price | $300KWins | $360K | Baltimore wins +$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 102Better | Chicago wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Better | $15 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $88Wins | $105 | Baltimore wins +$17/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Better | $3.40 | Baltimore wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60K | $67KBetter | Chicago wins +$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.8%Better | 4.9% | Baltimore wins +0.1 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Wins | 10.3% | Baltimore wins +4.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Better | $45 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 110 | 107Better | Chicago wins -3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 66 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +12 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Chicago fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Chicago.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore cheaper than Chicago?
No. Chicago is 3% cheaper than Baltimore based on overall cost of living indices (107 vs 110, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Baltimore vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Baltimore is $1,900/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Baltimore is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Baltimore?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $72,955/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Baltimore. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Baltimore or Chicago?
Baltimore has the lower state income tax rate at 4.8% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Baltimore to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Baltimore ↔ Chicago
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