Is Baltimore, MD or Cincinnati, OH cheaper on a $120,000 salary?

Cincinnati, OH leaves you more: $6,530/yr. On $120,000, Baltimore, MD leaves $64,126/yr in pocket (state tax $6,000, housing $20,294) vs Cincinnati, OH's $70,656 (state tax $4,200, housing $15,564).

The gap is driven mostly by state income tax (Maryland: 5% vs Ohio: 3.50%) and housing.

WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Baltimore, MD vs Cincinnati, OH

Baltimore, MD vs Cincinnati, OH: cost of living on $120,000

Cincinnati, OH +$6,530/yr On $120,000, Baltimore, MD leaves $64,126/yr in pocket vs Cincinnati, OH's $70,656 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000	Baltimore, MD	Cincinnati, OH
Federal + FICA (est.)	$29,580	$29,580
State income tax	$6,000 (5%)	$4,200 (3.50%)
After-tax income	$84,420	$86,220
− Housing/yr (Zillow)	$20,294	$15,564
Real money in pocket	$64,126	$70,656

Verified 2026-06-23 · State tax: Tax Foundation, “State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025” + state revenue departments. Modeled as an effective planning rate for a typical $80k–$160k filer — not a full bracket engine. · Housing from Zillow ZHVI 2026-05.

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FAQ

Is Baltimore, MD or Cincinnati, OH cheaper?: On $120,000, Cincinnati, OH — by $6,530/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?: State income tax (Maryland 5% vs Ohio 3.50%) and housing cost.

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