Thinking about moving to Baltimore
? You’ll have lower living costs, good food, and good entertainment, but you’ll have to contend with the local weather patterns and crime rates. Baltimore is home to a lot of firsts: the world’s first dental school, the first Black-owned shipyard, and the first city to receive a telegraph. It also was the place of origin for the “Star-Spangled Banner” and was a longtime home for Edgar Allen Poe. These days, it serves as a major hub for medicine, and there’s no shortage of good food and good entertainment.
But if you’re thinking about living here yourself, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider. Courtesy of Jerry
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What you need to know about Baltimore before you move
With a population of over 602,000, many Baltimore residents will tell you its neighborhoods still give off a small-town feel, which is why it’s gotten the nickname “Smaltimore.”
So, will you find yourself saying “Good morning, Baltimore” in the near future? Here are some factors to consider before making that big decision.
1. You might like the low cost of living
Depending on the data you look at, Baltimore's overall cost of living is about 8 % to 11% less expensive than the national average. And its living costs look especially reasonable when you compare them with nearby cities like Washington, D.C.
Housing costs in Baltimore are also under the national average. While the average rent for a one-bedroom in the United States costs around $1,700 per month, the average one-bedroom rent in Baltimore falls closer to about $1,400.
Grocery expenses in Baltimore tend to be pretty comparable to national averages. You could expect to pick up a gallon of milk for $4 to $5 or a carton of a dozen eggs for $2 to $4.
When you’re out and about, you could enjoy a cup of coffee for $4 to $5 or a pint of beer for about $6, and an average restaurant meal for two could run you about $65, by Numbeo’s
estimates. In 2022, the minimum wage in Maryland rose to $12.20 to$12.50 per hour, depending on employer size, and it’s set to increase annually until it reaches $15 per hour in 2025. Baltimore’s median household income, as of the 2020 census, was $52,164.
2. There are tons of jobs in a variety of industries
While its growth rate has slowed a bit since pre-pandemic conditions, Baltimore still has a strong job market across a diverse range of sectors.
The city is home to both major educational and medical institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Other major sectors in Baltimore include manufacturing, construction, finance, tech, and government (which includes a number of federal agencies).
3. The city’s crime problem is ongoing
Baltimore has struggled with high crime rates over the years.
While both are higher than national averages, Baltimore’s violent crime rate tends to be of more concern than property crime. In 2022, the city had over 200 homicides by July, a number that could approach record levels for the city if the trend continues. Car thefts also rose 65% over the last year, CBS news
reported. For a closer look at crime rates and how different neighborhoods compare, you can view data through the city’s Open Baltimore
site. 4. There are educational opportunities for all age levels
If you’re interested in going back to school, either for a degree or just to audit a single class, you’ll have plenty of higher education options to choose from in Baltimore. The city is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, including Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore City Community College, Goucher College, the University of Maryland-Baltimore, and the University of Baltimore, to name just a few.
With so many options to consider, you’re sure to find a subject area you’re interested in learning more about.
5. You don’t necessarily need a car to get around Baltimore
Baltimore covers an area of about 92 square miles. In some cases, it could be more convenient to get from place to place with your own car, but generally speaking, Baltimore’s a pretty walkable city with a good amount of transportation options. Sometimes, it’s a lot nicer when you don’t have to worry about wasting time on parking spots and paying for them.
In Baltimore, you’ll have access to the Charm City Circulator public buses
, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a ride on the Baltimore Water Taxi
. At present, Baltimore does have some bike routes, but many cyclists feel they’re not always the safest. Expanding bike routes and making them safer is something the city has acknowledged it’s working to improve.
6. You’ll get to experience all four seasons
Weather in Baltimore is a little bit of everything—you’ll get to experience those hot, humid summers as well as cold, snowy winters!
Average summer high temperatures rise into the high 70s and 80s, while winter temperatures average 40-degree highs and low temperatures around 30 degrees.
In addition to that, Baltimore can experience a variety of severe weather, which could include hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and blizzards—so make sure you have adequate home insurance for the unexpected!
7. There’s no shortage of things to do
As the characters in “Hairspray” would sing, “you can’t stop the beat” in Baltimore. The local music scene has been home to legends like Billie Holiday, and there’s a variety of live music venues highlighting local and traveling artists.
Plus, you’ll have plenty of top-notch museums, live entertainment, and nightlife options in your vicinity—and sports fans can catch Ravens and Orioles games on the regular.
And when you’ve worked up an appetite, Baltimore’s food scene has plenty to serve up, from its famous crab cakes and Berger cookies to globally-inspired dishes with a local spin.
Does Baltimore live up to the hype?
Baltimore’s overall cost of living is lower than more expensive surrounding cities like Washington, D.C., and the local job market offers a wide variety of prospects across a number of sectors.
If you’d prefer not to drive, Baltimore’s public transit makes getting around the city on foot pretty doable, but the biking infrastructure has room for improvement. It’s also worth noting that the city’s ongoing crime challenges can make some wary of relocating.
With so many entertainment and dining options at your disposal, however, you shouldn’t have to worry about boredom in Charm City.
If this all sounds like something you can work with, it might just be worth adding Baltimore to your list of next potential cities to live in.
Finding a place to live in Baltimore
One of the most challenging parts of moving to any new city? Finding the right place to live.
But with housing prices under the national average, finding a home in Baltimore should thankfully be a little easier.
Compared to a national median listing price of about $435,000, Baltimore’s median listing price for home sales was about $215,000 in August 2022, according to realtor.com
. The median sale price of homes in Baltimore was about $225,000. If you’re looking to rent in Baltimore, your housing costs will depend on the size of the apartment and what neighborhood you choose. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Baltimore sits below the national average at about $1,448 per month, according to rent.com
analysis. But in Patterson Park of Fells Point, you could spend upwards of $2,000 per month for a one-bedroom. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment sits around $1,600 per month, and the average three-bedroom costs about $1,900 per month.
It’s smart to establish a budget and see what options fit your plan. Then, you can narrow your list by other things that are a priority for you, like nearby parks or nightlife, or good area schools if you have kids.
As you explore your options across Baltimore’s 250+ neighborhoods, here are a handful worth looking into:
Most iconic neighborhoods: Mount Vernon, Downtown, Downtown West, Fells Point, Station North
Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Wyndhurst, Wyman Park, Cedarcroft, Ellicott City
Best neighborhoods for foodies: Harbor East, Federal Hill, Hampden, Little Italy, Ellicott City
Best neighborhoods if you want to buy a house: Scaggsville, Lutherville, Ilchester
Most affordable neighborhoods: Walbrook, Armistead Gardens, Cedonia, Irvington
Consider spending some time in the neighborhoods you’re considering before picking your next place to call home. That way, you can get a better sense of the area’s atmosphere and whether or not it may actually be a good fit for you.
Moving to Baltimore checklist
So, you’re officially doing this: you’ve found a place, and you’re moving to Baltimore! Whether you’re moving from nearby or from across the continent, every move has its own unique challenges. To help make your transition as smooth as possible, here are some items worth adding to your Baltimore moving checklist.
Before you go
Ahead of your move, make sure you:
Book a moving date with a reputable moving company to get your belongings to your next home safe and sound—if you’re not sure where to start, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers helpful tips
to finding movers and avoiding scams. Alternatively, reserve a U-Haul for your moving date if you’re handling your move yourself.
For a long-distance move, you might want to consider whether it’s more convenient to drive or ship your car.
Update your address and set up mail forwarding with the USPS
so you don’t miss any important communications. Let important contacts know you’re moving—this would include your landlord, your employer, your insurance provider(s), and utility provider(s).
Verify your new renters or homeowners insurance policy
will be active and ready to go once you’ve moved into your Baltimore home.
After you get there
After you’ve made it to Baltimore and unpacked that last box, there are just a couple more items you may need to take care of:
If you’ve moved to Baltimore from out of state, you’ll have to re-register your car in Maryland and update your car insurance if you haven’t already.
Get to know Baltimore! Now that you’re officially a local, it’s time to get out and get familiar with all the best food, shops, and entertainment that Baltimore has to offer.
How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Baltimore
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