RANK #818 / 996 · POP 584,548 · MD
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.7%
Known as "Charm City," Baltimore, Maryland, is recognized for its distinct neighborhoods and rich history. The city is an independent entity, not part of any county, and sits about an hour north of Washington, D.C. Commuters have various public transportation options, including buses, light rail, and the Metro SubwayLink, with MARC train service connecting to Washington, D.C. in as little as 35 minutes. Baltimore offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, from kayaking in the Inner Harbor to exploring parks like Druid Hill Park and Federal Hill Park, which provide scenic views and walking trails.
Life in Baltimore features a mix of urban and community living, with many residents residing in row homes. The city's economy is undergoing transformation, with significant investments in commercial and residential sectors. Educational institutions like Johns Hopkins University are major employers. Baltimore City Public Schools offer various options, including traditional, charter, and private schools. While economic concerns regarding housing and utility costs are present, initiatives are underway to foster development and support local businesses.
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Baltimore Peninsula Development
Various (including Under Armour, Rye Street Tavern, Sagamore Spirit distillery, Roost hotel)
|
$18,000M | Under Construction |
|
Penn Station Revitalization and Expansion
Amtrak, Cross Street Partners, Beatty Developers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Pimlico Race Course Redevelopment
State of Maryland
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Tradepoint Atlantic Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Key Highway South Urban Renewal Plan Redevelopment
Baltimore Development Corporation (seeking proposals)
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Baltimore city has a Boom Town Index score of 18/100, ranking #818 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $58,349, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Baltimore city is $202,900 with median rent at $1,235/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2876, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -1.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.56% of Baltimore city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.