City cost comparison
Baltimore vs Ann Arbor
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Baltimore, MD against Ann Arbor, MI.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Ann Arbor, MI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $918 | $972 | +6% cheaper in Baltimore |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,483 | $1,442 | +3% cheaper in Ann Arbor |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $700 | $673 | +4% cheaper in Ann Arbor |
| FoodPer child / month | $374 | $374 | About the same |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $93 | $92 | +1% cheaper in Ann Arbor |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.