Baltimore, Maryland
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Baltimore.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Baltimore?
For relocators asking how much Baltimore costs: the housing index sits at 84 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $219,300 and rents near $1,290. Local median income is about $59,623 and unemployment recently ran 5.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 31 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1858.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 84U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $219,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,290U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $59,623U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 31 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1858.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Baltimore compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 568,271City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $59,623Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 84ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $219,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year28% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,290City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20261.5 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 31 min24% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6953% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1858.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)217% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4311.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)40% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 32°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 43.7 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals32% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 246As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Baltimore declined 8.5% from 620,915 in 2010 to 568,271 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Baltimore expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Baltimore's housing cost index is 84 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($219,300 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,290 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 84 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $219,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,290 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Baltimore?
Typical ownership costs center near $219,300, while median gross rent is about $1,290 a month. Against a median household income of $59,623, rent alone is roughly 26% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $219,300
- Median rent $1,290/month
- Median household income $59,623
What is the job market like in Baltimore?
County unemployment recently ran 5.7% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Baltimore is about $59,623 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 5.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $59,623
How long is the typical commute in Baltimore?
Average one-way commute time is about 31 minutes, with Walk Score near 69/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 31 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 69/100
Is Baltimore safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 1858.7 per 100k and property about 4311.2 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 1858.7 per 100k
- Property 4311.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Baltimore?
Normals show summer highs near 88°F, winter lows near 32°F, about 43.7 inches of rain, and roughly 246 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 32°F
- 43.7 in rain · 246 sunny days
Baltimore (pop. 568,271) sits in Maryland. Households here report a median income near $59,623; our housing-derived cost index is about 84 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $219,300 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Chesapeake shoreline living sits between federal-job gravity and beach weekends. Pack for 88°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 32°F. Commutes average near 31 minutes one-way, with walkability near 69/100. Unemployment near 5.7% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1858.7 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Baltimore sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Baltimore with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Baltimore city, 1600000US2404000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Baltimore city, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093784 MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10