Baltimore MD vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 107,066 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 27.4% | 13.7% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 0.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $24,356 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.4% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 14.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $849,335 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 40.1% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Escondido
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.1% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Escondido
31.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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