Baltimore MD vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 186,419 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 27.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 60.0% | 7.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $468,328 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.6% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2150 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 71.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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