Baltimore MD vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Miami Gardens
N/A

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Baltimore & Miami Gardens