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The charming little city of Baltimore lies on the northeastern corridor of the nation. Many of us recognize the place from the award winning show “The Wire''. Yes, the show is truly phenomenal, but even if you binge watched the entire series, it really isn’t enough to gauge what practical life in Baltimore would look like when you move there.
A little bit of internet homework on Baltimore only reveals that it is a quaint little historic city with a seafood culture. Moreover, it is highly diverse in nature and possesses a high concentration of universities. A short drive in any direction here could also take you to the mountains or beach, so you truly get the best of both. But we’re sure you’re also curious about other aspects of moving to Baltimore that are totally worthwhile, so let’s just get to it.
CALCULATE MY MOVE
The year round weather in Baltimore is inherently unpredictable, just like many other cities in the country (hello, global warming). But for the sake of classification, it can be divided into two conditions - humid summers and freezing wet winters.
In terms of snowfall, the residents of Baltimore don't have much to worry about. The eastern shoreline where the city lies doesn’t really receive a lot of snow. If you’re a snow lover, you might be slightly disappointed by this. But you can always head to the mountains of western Maryland for snow.
The concern with winters that transplants could possibly have are linked to the dark atmosphere, chilly damp conditions and the strong cold winds. Just a heads up that the winter temperatures could show no sign of leaving even in April and March. At times, the city has unexpected snow even in the month of April, although ideally temperatures start to increase in March itself.
Few other things to know about Baltimore weather:
If you’re thinking of getting around without a car in Baltimore, you fortunately have the option to do so. This is mainly because the city and its surrounding counties are binded with a number of transit options for the public. But you have to put some thought into how feasible it is for you.
Below is a list of the following transit options at your disposal for intra-city travel:
Residents also have access to 4 extensive bus systems. It consists of:
Apart from this, you can also opt for rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft. Do note that the city also has a free shuttle service for students or affiliates of Universities. Although it might seem like it is possible to live without a car in Baltimore, it ultimately depends on your place of residence, work and whether you’re comfortable relying on public transportation. Overall, the bus system is your best bet as it has the most coverage of the city. Before you take a no-car stance, we’d advise you to take into consideration the weather conditions of the city. Baltimore has a handful of bikeable and walkable neighborhoods, but then again, this requires forethought and enough planning because of the weather conditions.
If you wish to travel beyond the city lines, you can take advantage of the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and the 7 Amtrak train lines that stop at Baltimore.
The city of Baltimore is definitely the shining star for job opportunities in the state of Maryland. It is home to thousands of tech, healthcare and government oriented services. The city also lies in close proximity to Washington D.C., thereby giving residents the advantage of widening their job search to those pastures as well.
The largest employers along with the keys industries of the city are:
A simple glance at the list makes it safe to assume that the job market in Baltimore is far from mediocre. We’d also like to mention that there’s a proliferation of STEM jobs in the city, because of the growing metro area. All in all, sectors linked to the field of healthcare, finance and education get the top priority, since the city is dotted with a large concentration of universities and medical institutions.
Apart from this, the tourism industry is also booming on a small scale, because of the numerous historic marvels making it an interesting hotspot for tourists.
See also: The Best and Worst US Cities for Job Seekers
The average median rent for an apartment in Baltimore is $1,304. Frankly speaking, the rent in Baltimore is among the nation’s highest. Several business journals point out the fact that it might be easier to buy than rent, because of the skyrocketing rent prices. For instance:
According to reports by Forbes, the cost of living in Baltimore is 6% higher than the national average. But the good news is that it is much lower than the state average. We’ve done a breakdown with average figures that would go into housing and utilities, so you can build your own stance on how things would look financially.
The median value of homes in Baltimore is $162,197 (according to Zillow). In comparison to its neighboring cities where prices are hitting the roof, Baltimore is moderately doing well. See the below figures to get a better picture of things:
Median value of homes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - $202,985Median value of homes in Washington D.C. - $666,768
There’s a huge margin in costs as compared to cities like Washington and Philadelphia. In terms of savings, this makes the city of Baltimore a safer option.
Depending on usage, your electricity and gas bill could amount to $125 a month (Note: This is higher than the national average). Internet bills would roughly fall in the $50 to $120 bracket. And monthly expenditure could possibly round upto $2,000 for a single person. Just a heads up that parking, car insurance and taxes are on the higher end of the spectrum in Baltimore.
The average median household income in the nation is $55,322, but the average annual income in Baltimore stands at $48,840. There is a substantial difference that might make it difficult to follow the logic of 50 (for needs), 30 (for wants) and 20 (for savings) in the city. The salary range to live comfortably and follow the 50/30/20 theory is between 50k-60k for a single person. This means that an annual income of 80k would be a luxury.
Do note that these are just rough estimates to help you build a perspective on the cost of living. Depending on lifestyle habits of eating and various other factors, things would vary.
See also: States that Pay You to Move There
Charles Village is situated in the central part, which is also considered the heart of Baltimore. It is the most popular choice of residential neighborhood among those moving to Baltimore. This neighborhood is anchored with modern amenities and walkable areas. It also lies in close proximity to the Johns Hopkins campus and is filled with row houses that are occupied with a large number of students and young professionals. This neighborhood has a strong character because of the diversity and strong sense of community. It is an ideal spot for families and students.
Median value of homes - $241,052Median rent - $1,132
The neighborhood of Guilford is tucked in the north corridor of the city. It is one of Baltimore’s most upscale neighborhoods. The cost of housing here is on the higher end of the spectrum but to many, it is a great trade off. If you choose to live here, you’ll be 15 minutes away from the city center and enjoy modern amenities. The houses here are also extremely unique, since it is part of the historic district of the city. It is easy to spot mansions and historic properties with huge lawns in Guilford. Hampden and Wyman Park are the other two notable neighborhoods of this area.
Median value of homes - $618,514Median rent - $2,335
Mt.Washington is among the quiet and peaceful neighborhoods of the city of Baltimore. Few of the perks of living here is that you have easy access to the stunning Roland Park for recreation and a large number of top-notch medical facilities. The peculiarity of living here is that no two houses look the same. You have a range of period and manor homes to choose from and you’re just a walking distance from a light rail station.
Median value of homes - $304,867Median rent - $1,117
Located in the far east of the city, Fells point is a more trendy, hip and lively place to choose, in comparison to the other quiet residential neighborhoods on this list. If you’re someone looking for entertainment options, restaurants and shopping areas, then this could be the place for you. Fells point has the buzz and is social in nature. Other perks are that you have a waterfront view and the beautiful Patterson Park in the vicinity. Do note that Canton and Federal Hill are the most popular places to reside in Fells point.
Median value of homes - $307,383Median rent - $1,513
The neighborhood of Mount Vernon is home to several financial firms and educational institutions. Moreover, it is just minutes away from the city center. Many residents choose to live here solely because of the location and how that makes things super convenient. You have grocery stores, restaurants, public transit, places of work and play all merely at an arm’s length. This town is also a hub for job opportunities. If you’re specifically drawn to places that have lots of things to do (bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes), then we highly recommend Mount Vernon.
Median value of homes - $252,415Median rent - $1,181
Baltimore is a colorful city with charming neighborhoods, rich history, interesting museums, a picturesque harbor, and top-notch medical centers. Because of this, the cost of living in Baltimore is 6% higher than the national average.
The median home price in Baltimore is $169,32. Other than this, the cost of utilities, transportation, food, and groceries, etc., is certainly higher than the national average. In conclusion, Baltimore is expensive, but not by a huge margin. If you are planning to move here, then you should know that life here is pretty affordable.
Baltimore is by far one of the most dangerous cities in America. This is because the crime rates really soar through the ceiling here. The chances of you becoming a victim of a violent crime in Baltimore is 1 in 53. Similarly, the chances of you becoming a victim of property crime in Baltimore is 1 in 23.
The city of Baltimore is as charming as it can get. If you have decided to move to Baltimore, do consider moving to the following neighborhoods that are some of the best places to live in Baltimore.
Although Baltimore is a beautiful city with plenty of safe and comfortable neighborhoods, you must not forget that some parts of the city are quite dangerous. Here are some of the worst neighborhoods in Baltimore that you ideally shouldn’t consider moving to.
Baltimore hasn’t legalized all kinds of drugs but it has certainly taken a step towards the legalization of drugs. Crime rates were quite high in Baltimore and many people were being prosecuted for procuring and possessing drugs. However, the state of Maryland passed a bill in March 2021 that basically legalized the recreational usage of cannabis by anyone who is over the age of 21. The crime rates in this city were already ridiculously high and the pandemic has hit the people as well as the economy very badly. By passing this bill, the government wanted to give a boost to small businesses, increase the tax returns for the government, and most importantly, take the low-quality cannabis that was in circulation, off the streets of Baltimore.
Our Take On Baltimore
Baltimore is recognized as the “Charm City”. It has a dose of diverse communities, productive commercial hubs and places for recreation. Selected parts of the city certainly gets somewhat of a bad rap when it comes to crime. But this city isn’t alone when it comes to such aspects. Residents here also have a rich experience in terms of its seafood, modern amenities and diversity. Now that you have an overview of the city’s standing in terms of metrics other than crime, there’s only one question you’ve to ask yourself. Is moving to Baltimore for you?
See also: Best Cross Country Movers of 2022
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