Baltimore MD vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 27.4% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 60.0% | 22.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $265,062 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 42.0% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2339 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 24.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 48.7 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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