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Baltimore vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing
| Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 104.5 | 103.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $76,370 | $69,630 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $59,070 | $51,380 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $73,090 | $67,395 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $59,140 | $56,468 |
| Typical home value | $405,877 | $448,352 |
| Median household income | $97,300 | $84,703 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Metro population | 2,839,409 | 4,941,206 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Baltimore to Phoenix
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Baltimore to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 0.989.
| Salary in Baltimore | Same buying power in Phoenix |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Baltimore | $49,440 in Phoenix |
| $75,000 in Baltimore | $74,159 in Phoenix |
| $100,000 in Baltimore | $98,879 in Phoenix |
| $150,000 in Baltimore | $148,319 in Phoenix |
| $200,000 in Baltimore | $197,759 in Phoenix |
Salaries for common jobs in Baltimore and Phoenix
| Job | Baltimore | Phoenix | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $134,760 | $132,100 | $128,973 / $127,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | $37,320 | $38,580 | $35,717 / $37,342 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $45,800 | $48,550 | $43,833 / $46,992 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,960 | $36,850 | $37,287 / $35,667 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $44,840 | $41,163 / $43,401 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,820 | $35,560 | $32,368 / $34,419 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,100 | $101,090 | $94,844 / $97,845 |
| Cashiers | $34,670 | $35,960 | $33,181 / $34,806 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,710 | $41,210 | $38,962 / $39,887 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,030 | $53,370 | $41,182 / $51,657 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,130 | $50,560 | $46,063 / $48,937 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,770 | $59,790 | $58,160 / $57,871 |
| Software Developers | $153,910 | $135,520 | $147,301 / $131,170 |
| Construction Laborers | $47,640 | $48,670 | $45,594 / $47,108 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,830 | $38,120 | $37,163 / $36,897 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Baltimore vs Phoenix: questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. BEA prices are 104.5 in Baltimore, MD and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Baltimore?
About $98,879, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Baltimore or Phoenix?
Baltimore, MD: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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