Baltimore MD vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 470,763 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 27.4% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 60.0% | 27.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $435,807 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 61.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 46.2 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | 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
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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