Baltimore MD vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 543,348 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 27.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 60.0% | 5.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $54,546 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $31,152 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 30.2% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $324,946 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 69.8°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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