Baltimore MD vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 27.4% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 60.0% | 30.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,269 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 31.9% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $286,396 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 70.2°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 50.0 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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