Baltimore MD vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 119,508 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 27.4% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 60.0% | 31.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $399,650 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 75.4°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 62.3 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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