Question 1

Is Baltimore or Raleigh cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, NC is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $165/month less than in Baltimore, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,857/mo in Baltimore versus $1,750/mo in Raleigh.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Baltimore vs Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $87,500/year before tax in Baltimore, MD and $78,500/year in Raleigh, NC — a difference of about $9,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Baltimore or Raleigh cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $10,265/month in Baltimore and $9,872/month in Raleigh, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Baltimore or Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Raleigh costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Baltimore53	Raleigh75
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,389	$4,224
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,265	$9,872
Salary for comfort	$87,500/yr	$78,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,857	$1,750
Median home value	$219,300	$377,800
Median household income	$59,623	$82,424
Unemployment	5.5%	3.1%
Housing score	46	56
Jobs score	40	88
Safety score	27	59
Climate score	99	100
Amenities score	34	62
Population	577.2K	470.8K
Summer high / winter low	92° / 32°	90° / 31°

Baltimore, MD vs Raleigh, NC