Baltimore MD vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 27.4% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 60.0% | 29.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,189 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,300 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $248,749 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 44.3% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1866 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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