Baltimore MD vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.9% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 11.7% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $39,575 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $24,029 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,052 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 14.1% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 31.5% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 17.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 45.6% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 22.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.8% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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