Baltimore MD vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 307,188 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 27.4% | 16.5% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 46.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $48,416 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $25,509 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 10.9% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 24.7% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 17.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $482,675 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 24.1% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.0% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 23.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 46.3 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 35.9 min | Baltimore + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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