Baltimore city
Maryland

What stands out

Three things set Baltimore city apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (111 per 100,000), homeownership is among the lowest in America (48%), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 6% of American counties (94 of 100). Within Maryland it ranks 1st of 24 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Baltimore city, Maryland. 584,548 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -6,389).

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 $58,349 a year, lower than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $82,818. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 77% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Maryland takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,719 a year.

Home

The median home costs $188K, cheaper than 68% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,308 a month. Property tax is 1.51% of home value, roughly $3,065 a year on that median home, higher than 85% of American counties. 48% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 111 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.0 years, shorter than 93% of American counties. There are 7,751 active physicians in the county, about 132.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 7.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 62 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 52% 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 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 48, warmer than 57% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 94 out of 100, riskier than 94% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 276 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 17 breweries, 26 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.