Baltimore MD vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 27.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 60.0% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $871,599 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 44.3% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3409 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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