Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Baltimore-Columbia-Towson

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, you'd need:

$70,217

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson 116.8
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson $31,943

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,392
Rent (2BR) -$22,284
Net Income $37,324

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$69,780

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $3,211 more per year in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos compared to Baltimore-Columbia-Towson. You'd pay $3,151 more in taxes in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, while housing costs 0% more. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Baltimore-Columbia-Towson is 17% above avg, making Baltimore-Columbia-Towson the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $70,217 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson ($22,621 vs $20,839 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Schools
541
655
Enrollment
345,378
404,712
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.8%
5.4%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Institutions
31
45
In-State Tuition
$22,621
$20,839
Out-of-State
$28,276
$25,544
Grad Rate
58.5%
55.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Baltimore-Columbia-Towson more expensive?

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 116.8 (national average = 100).

What salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

You would need to earn approximately $70,217 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $22,284 in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson—housing is 0% more in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson.