Baltimore MD vs Santa Clarita CA — 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 229,021 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 27.4% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $802,780 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.9% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 37.4 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 503 in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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