Baltimore MD vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 27.4% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 60.0% | 39.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,669 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,080 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.0% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 34.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $233,814 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 57.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 48.5 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.5 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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