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Baltimore vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing
| Baltimore, MD | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 104.5 | 113.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $76,370 | $77,270 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $59,070 | $55,850 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $73,090 | $68,040 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $59,140 | $60,080 |
| Typical home value | $405,877 | $968,608 |
| Median household income | $97,300 | $93,525 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 10.4 |
| Metro population | 2,839,409 | 13,012,469 |
*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 Los Angeles
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Baltimore to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.087.
| Salary in Baltimore | Same buying power in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Baltimore | $54,345 in Los Angeles |
| $75,000 in Baltimore | $81,517 in Los Angeles |
| $100,000 in Baltimore | $108,689 in Los Angeles |
| $150,000 in Baltimore | $163,034 in Los Angeles |
| $200,000 in Baltimore | $217,378 in Los Angeles |
Salaries for common jobs in Baltimore and Los Angeles
| Job | Baltimore | Los Angeles | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,960 | $35,890 | $37,287 / $31,603 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,820 | $41,080 | $32,368 / $36,173 |
| Retail Salespersons | $37,320 | $43,010 | $35,717 / $37,872 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $44,070 | $41,163 / $38,806 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,130 | $50,980 | $46,063 / $44,890 |
| Cashiers | $34,670 | $39,550 | $33,181 / $34,826 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,100 | $140,370 | $94,844 / $123,602 |
| General and Operations Managers | $134,760 | $157,110 | $128,973 / $138,342 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,710 | $42,400 | $38,962 / $37,335 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,030 | $42,640 | $41,182 / $37,546 |
| Security Guards | $42,620 | $43,880 | $40,790 / $38,638 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,830 | $43,050 | $37,163 / $37,907 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $94,880 | $99,740 | $90,806 / $87,826 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $45,800 | $53,500 | $43,833 / $47,109 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,770 | $61,230 | $58,160 / $53,916 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Baltimore vs Los Angeles: questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. BEA prices are 104.5 in Baltimore, MD and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Baltimore?
About $108,689, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Baltimore or Los Angeles?
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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