Is Houston, TX or Baltimore, MD cheaper on a $120,000 salary?

Houston, TX leaves you more: $10,879/yr. On $120,000, Houston, TX leaves $75,005/yr in pocket (state tax $0, housing $15,415) vs Baltimore, MD's $64,126 (state tax $6,000, housing $20,294).

The gap is driven mostly by state income tax (Texas: 0% vs Maryland: 5%) and housing.

WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Houston, TX vs Baltimore, MD

Houston, TX vs Baltimore, MD: cost of living on $120,000

Houston, TX +$10,879/yr On $120,000, Houston, TX leaves $75,005/yr in pocket vs Baltimore, MD's $64,126 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000	Houston, TX	Baltimore, MD
Federal + FICA (est.)	$29,580	$29,580
State income tax	$0 (0%)	$6,000 (5%)
After-tax income	$90,420	$84,420
− Housing/yr (Zillow)	$15,415	$20,294
Real money in pocket	$75,005	$64,126

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 Houston, TX or Baltimore, MD cheaper?: On $120,000, Houston, TX — by $10,879/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?: State income tax (Texas 0% vs Maryland 5%) and housing cost.

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