Home › Compare › Louisville, KY vs Baltimore, MD

Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Baltimore, MD

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

17.4% Baltimore, MD is more expensive overall
36.6% 36.6% more expensive housing
9.5% 9.5% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 36.6% more
Louisville
82
Baltimore
112
🛒 Groceries 9.5% more
Louisville
95
Baltimore
104
🚗 Transportation 12.2% more
Louisville
98
Baltimore
110
🏥 Healthcare 10.6% more
Louisville
94
Baltimore
104
⚡ Utilities 8.0% more
Louisville
100
Baltimore
108

Detailed Breakdown

Category Louisville, KY Baltimore, MD Difference
Overall Cost Index9210817.4% more
Housing8211236.6% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,000$1,35035.0% more
Median Home Price$225,000$220,0002.2% less
Groceries951049.5% more
Transportation9811012.2% more
Healthcare9410410.6% more
Utilities1001088.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Louisville, KY Baltimore, MD
State Income Tax4.00%5.75% (top)
State Sales Tax6.00%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.78%0.99%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneYes

What You'd Need to Earn

Louisville, KY
$60,000
Median household income
Baltimore, MD
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Baltimore costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Baltimore to maintain your Louisville lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Louisville (92) vs Baltimore (108). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Louisville4.0%
Baltimore5.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
Louisville2.3%
Baltimore1.7%
Top Industries
LouisvilleHealthcare, Manufacturing, Logistics
BaltimoreHealthcare, Education, Defense

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Louisville23 min
Baltimore31 min
Walk Score
Louisville36
Baltimore67
Air Quality (AQI)
Louisville46
Baltimore44
Avg Temperature
Louisville57°F
Baltimore56°F
Population
Louisville633,045
Baltimore585,708

Moving from Louisville to Baltimore?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Louisville and Baltimore → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Baltimore →

Compare Other Cities

Louisville vs Austin → Louisville vs Denver → Louisville vs Nashville → Baltimore vs Raleigh → Baltimore vs Portland → Baltimore vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Louisville or Baltimore cheaper to live in?+
Louisville is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 36.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Louisville vs Baltimore?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,000/month in Louisville and $1,350/month in Baltimore — a difference of about $350 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Louisville or Baltimore?+
Kentucky has a state income tax of 4.00% and sales tax of 6.00%. Maryland has a state income tax of 5.75% (top) and sales tax of 6.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Louisville to Baltimore?+
Median household income in Louisville is $60,000 compared to $58,000 in Baltimore. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Louisville vs Baltimore?+
The median home price in Louisville is $225,000 versus $220,000 in Baltimore — a difference of $5,000. Property tax rates also differ: Kentucky averages 0.78% while Maryland averages 0.99%.