Baltimore MD vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 117,794 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 27.4% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 60.0% | 10.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $1,041,988 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 33.7% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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