Baltimore MD vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 426,845 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 27.4% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 60.0% | 18.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,467 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $334,719 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1992 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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