Baltimore MD vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 127,200 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 8.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 60.0% | 12.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.3% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,359 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,527 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $323,876 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2418 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.1% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 56.0°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 46.3 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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