Baltimore MD vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 114,303 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 27.4% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $26,755 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $60,713 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.3% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $486,127 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 39.9% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1931 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.5% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Baltimore, MD vs New York, NYBaltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CABaltimore, MD vs Chicago, ILBaltimore, MD vs Houston, TXBaltimore, MD vs Phoenix, AZBaltimore, MD vs Philadelphia, PA