Baltimore MD vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 27.4% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 60.0% | 7.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 32.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $411,323 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2150 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 72.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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