Baltimore MD vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 255,036 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 27.4% | 36.7% | Irving + |
| Black | 60.0% | 12.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Irving
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $344,888 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 38.3% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, 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%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 20.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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