Baltimore MD vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 27.4% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 60.0% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $541,899 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3234 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 25.9% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Baltimore, MD vs New York, NYBaltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CABaltimore, MD vs Chicago, ILBaltimore, MD vs Houston, TXBaltimore, MD vs Phoenix, AZBaltimore, MD vs Philadelphia, PA