Baltimore MD vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 27.4% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 60.0% | 28.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.9% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $324,183 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 36.5 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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