Baltimore MD vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Boston
21.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 27.4% | 47.8% | Boston + |
| Black | 60.0% | 21.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.0% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $793,154 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 43.8 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.1 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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