Baltimore MD vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 75,721 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 27.4% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 6.8% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $765,686 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.2% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3409 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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