Baltimore, MD

Baltimore MD scores 75/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 12% above the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 112 (100 = avg); violent crime index 115; property crime index 109. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

Campus scores in the report: Baltimore Elementary (elementary) at 7/10; Baltimore Middle School (middle) at 7/10; Baltimore High School (high) at 8/10. On this 10-point scale, 7 is solidly middle; 9 is a standout.

District picture: about B+ (above average) · Top 35% statewide. Student-teacher staffing: 16:1. If schools drive your move, compare the specific campuses that serve your target address against statewide peers.

Typical rent in Baltimore is about $1,857/month (on the high side). At $1,857/month for a typical unit, you need about $66,852+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $202,900.

Median household income is $58,349, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($58,349) sits below the $66,852 comfort line for that rent. Many households will feel stretched.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 77°F (highs near 86°F, lows near 68°F).

Most of the year is outdoor-friendly; peak summer still needs AC for comfort. Cooling costs matter more than heating for most of the year. If you visit, go in late summer so you feel the heat, not just a mild weekend.

Who tends to thrive in Baltimore: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 75/100) (2) Dual-income households (at $1,857/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (3) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 75/100) (4) Households earning $66,852+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,857/month

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $1,857/month) (2) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,857/month (3) Households expecting top marks on rent, safety, and schools at once (Baltimore does not clear every bar)

Income sniff test: clear about $66,852 household income for $1,857/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Baltimore MD is not worth a speculative move. Come only for a specific job or family reason.

The strongest upside is safety at 75/100 (above what many metros post).

The biggest risk is rent at $1,857/month. Budget from a $66,852+ household income or the ratio gets tight.