Baltimore MD vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 27.4% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 60.0% | 22.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.7% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $816,078 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 32.8% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
New York
1736
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1736 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.9% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 55.4°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 46.6 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | 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
Baltimore +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 44.2 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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