CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Erie, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 12.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $69,700 in Erie. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.9%
Baltimore
118.2
Erie
56.8
🛒 Groceries1.7%
Baltimore
102.4
Erie
100.7
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Erie
102.6
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Baltimore
96.4
Erie
92.8
Utilities3.1%
Baltimore
110.2
Erie
106.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Erie, PA
$69,700
$10,300 less needed in Erie

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8708. 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×

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Baltimore has 51.9% lower housing costs compared to Erie.

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

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

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)

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.