CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Charlottesville, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Charlottesville
99.1
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Charlottesville is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $75,900 in Charlottesville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing9.5%
Baltimore
118.2
Charlottesville
107
🛒 Groceries5.5%
Baltimore
102.4
Charlottesville
96.8
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Baltimore
106.6
Charlottesville
103.5
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Baltimore
96.4
Charlottesville
93.7
Utilities19.2%
Baltimore
110.2
Charlottesville
89

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Charlottesville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Charlottesville, VA
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Charlottesville

Formula: salary × (99.1 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9483. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Charlottesville, VA

Median Home Price
$455,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
107
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Baltimore has 9.5% lower housing costs compared to Charlottesville.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Charlottesville, VA

Median Household Income
$92,300
Per Capita Income
$52,600
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
46,553
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyGovernmentTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Charlottesville, VA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.