Living in Baltimore, MD
Baltimore is the 30th-largest city in the US, home to about 570,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (104.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 569,997-2.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $229,6003.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,331/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $62,177median, per year
- Price level
- 104.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 43° / 89°lows 25° / 68°
- Average commute
- 29 min18% work from home
- State income tax
- 6.5%top rate, graduated
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County: Baltimore city
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 33 ft
Metro area: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Cost of living in Baltimore
The median home in Baltimore is worth $229,600 and the median household earns $62,177 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,331 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area at 104.5, with housing at 118.2 and goods at 102.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $78,400 here. Maryland taxes wages at a top rate of 6.5%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Maryland is 6%.
What would my salary be worth in Baltimore?
Baltimore weather
Average highs run from 43°F in January to 89°F in July, and January nights average 25°F. It gets 45 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 19 inches of snow. Expect about 34 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 93 times a year. The most comfortable months are April to June and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Baltimore
People and work
The median resident is 36.2 years old, and 36% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 48% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 29 minutes; 18% of workers work from home and 10% take public transit.
- Median age
- 36.2253rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 36%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 48%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,04280.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 10%6% walk, 0.6% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 19.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1947median year
Who moves to Baltimore, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Kings County, NY, New York County, NY and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to New York County, NY, Kings County, NY and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Baltimore County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, tornado, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+2.7% in a year
Up 32% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
58% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Baltimore
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.7 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data 10% of workers take public transit, so living without a car is realistic.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Baltimore report card from locals
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Baltimore through locals' eyes
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Cities near Baltimore
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD | 14 mi | 104,338 | $497,400 | 104.5 | Compare |
| Annapolis, MD | 22 mi | 40,634 | $548,900 | 104.5 | Compare |
| Silver Spring, MD | 30 mi | 81,462 | $643,300 | 108.9 | Compare |
| Bethesda, MD | 33 mi | 69,397 | $1,169,900 | 108.9 | Compare |
| Washington, DC | 34 mi | 693,645 | $737,100 | 108.9 | Compare |
| Arlington, VA | 39 mi | 236,254 | $895,000 | 108.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Scaggsville, Linthicum and Honeygo lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Baltimore.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Baltimore with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Baltimore a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare Baltimore side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Baltimore?
The Census Bureau estimates Baltimore had 569,997 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 585,729 in April 2020 (-2.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Baltimore?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $78,400 in the Baltimore area. The median household here earns $62,177.
When is the best time to visit Baltimore?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 89°F and January 43°F for daytime highs.
What county is Baltimore in?
Baltimore is in Baltimore city, Maryland. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Baltimore in?
Baltimore is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Baltimore?
About 33 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Maryland have a state income tax?
Yes. Maryland has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Baltimore. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Baltimore Wash Intl. Airport, MD station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.