Baltimore, MD
Census place 2404000 · pop 573,243
Where Francis Scott Key wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
1617 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
4202 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-5.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.51 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
47.5% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
85.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
19.7% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
29 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
16.1% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
18.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.46% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
4.2% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
38.1% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
6 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$62,177 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
27.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
94/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
10.4% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$1,786/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
42 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
36.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$229,600 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
Frequently asked
- Is Baltimore, MD a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Baltimore scores 31/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is violent crime rate. Maryland overall ranks #44 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Baltimore, MD?
- Baltimore reports 1617 violent crimes per 100k and 4202 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Baltimore, MD expensive to live in?
- Baltimore has a median home value of $229,600 and typical rent around $1,786/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Baltimore, MD?
- Its weakest measured area is violent crime rate (1617/100k) — 1/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Baltimore, MD best at?
- Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($229,600) — 63/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Where Francis Scott Key wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.