Head to head
Baltimore, MD vs Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $6/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $7,500 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child, Baltimore is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and childcare varies even more sharply between cities than rent does.
| Metric | Baltimore53 | Phoenix58 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $4,389 | $4,383 |
| Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare) | $10,265 | $10,297 |
| Salary for comfort | $87,500/yr | $80,000/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,857 | $1,839 |
| Median home value | $219,300 | $381,900 |
| Median household income | $59,623 | $77,041 |
| Unemployment | 5.5% | 4.7% |
| Housing score | 46 | 42 |
| Jobs score | 40 | 24 |
| Safety score | 27 | 45 |
| Climate score | 99 | 72 |
| Amenities score | 34 | 92 |
| Population | 577.2K | 1.6M |
| Summer high / winter low | 92° / 32° | 106° / 46° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Baltimore, MD
Phoenix, AZ