Baltimore MD vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Cleveland
367,523
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 367,523 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.3 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 36.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 60.0% | 46.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.3% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $39,187 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $27,078 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,300 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 11.5% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 30.8% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 21.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.2% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1866 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 42.2% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.5% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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