Baltimore MD vs Miami 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 446,663 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.7 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 27.4% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| Black | 60.0% | 13.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $59,390 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $580,996 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 30.7% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.5% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 27.2% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 75.8°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 64.1 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 29.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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