Baltimore MD vs Manchester NH — 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%

Manchester, NH

New Hampshire · Population: 115,415

  • Median HH Income$77,415
  • Median Home Price$441,257
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+33.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Manchester
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Manchester
33.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Manchester
1048
Manchester +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Manchester
44.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +

Which City is Right for You?

Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Baltimore & Manchester