Baltimore MD vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 293,109 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.6 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 60.0% | 43.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.1% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $55,279 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $38,947 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,527 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.4% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.9% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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