Baltimore MD vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 169,432 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 3.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.6% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $45,984 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,864 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,527 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 30.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $245,279 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 42.9% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2418 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.0% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 56.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 45.6 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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