Baltimore
Maryland

What stands out

Against every county in America, Baltimore County is unusual in three ways: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 4% of American counties ($1,530 a month), natural-hazard risk is in the top 5% of American counties (95 of 100), and home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (295 Mbps). Within Maryland it ranks 8th of 24 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Baltimore County, Maryland. 850,737 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -5,765).

Maryland is the only state that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, and its counties add their own income taxes of up to 3.2% on top of the state rate. Household income is the highest in the country, concentrated in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Howard counties. Social Security is not taxed and there is a pension exclusion for residents 65 and over.

Money

The typical household here brings in $88,157 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $71,051. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 54% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Maryland takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,135 a year.

Home

The median home costs $366K, pricier than 81% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,530 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $3,561 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.0 years, longer than 64% of American counties. There are 3,373 active physicians in the county, about 39.6 per 10,000 people. 6.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 6 points. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Maryland law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 65 and lows near 45, colder than 52% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 95 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 295 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 11 breweries, 9 museums, 1 National Park Service site.