Atlanta GA vs Baltimore MD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 39.9% | 27.4% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Baltimore
$39,195
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
35.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $59,623 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $39,195 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 20.1% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 35.4% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 47.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 38.1% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 41.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 31.6 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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