Baltimore vs Raleigh

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Baltimore feels like approximately $71,760 in Raleigh.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Baltimore feels like $71,760 in Raleigh. Moving would increase your purchasing power by 3%.

Income
Housing

Baltimore

Raleigh

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
moderate
 
low
1BR Rent
$1,511/mo
 
$1,596/mo
State Tax
MD tax applies
 
NC tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,423
 
$4,555
Remote Work Fit
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.
 
Raleigh is a top-ranked remote work destination combining research-economy wages, university-town culture, and housing costs well below major coastal tech markets.
Walk Score
64
 
31
Comfortable
$60-80k · Baltimore vs Raleigh
Income Reality Check

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

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,423/mo take-home

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

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

Related comparisons

Baltimore vs Washington, DCBaltimore vs PhiladelphiaBaltimore vs Pittsburgh
Baltimore profile Raleigh profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Baltimore vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Raleigh?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,511/mo in Baltimore and $1,596/mo in Raleigh. Baltimore has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

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

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Baltimore feels like approximately $71,760 in Raleigh — a gain of about 3% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Baltimore and Raleigh?

Baltimore is in MD (MD levies income tax) and Raleigh is in NC (NC 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.