Austin vs Baltimore

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Austin feels like approximately $73,521 in Baltimore.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Austin feels like $73,521 in Baltimore. Moving would increase your purchasing power by 5%.

Income
Housing

Austin

Baltimore

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
moderate
 
moderate
1BR Rent
$1,562/mo
 
$1,511/mo
State Tax
No income tax
 
MD tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,803
 
$4,423
Remote Work Fit
Austin is frequently explored by remote workers leaving coastal metros. The no-state-income-tax advantage is meaningful, though housing costs have risen toward moderate pressure levels.
 
Baltimore draws remote workers seeking East Coast access at lower cost than DC, Philadelphia, or Boston. The MARC train to DC also makes it viable for hybrid DC-based workers.
Walk Score
42
 
64
Comfortable
$60-80k · Austin vs Baltimore
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,803/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Austin, your picture shifts from comfortable toward comfortable.

No city is objectively better. Austin and Baltimore each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

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Austin profile Baltimore profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Austin vs Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Austin or Baltimore?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,562/mo in Austin and $1,511/mo in Baltimore. Baltimore has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Baltimore to match Austin?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Austin feels like approximately $73,521 in Baltimore — a gain of about 5% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Austin and Baltimore?

Austin is in TX (no state income tax) and Baltimore is in MD (MD levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.