Moving to Baltimore, MD

Baltimore At-A-Glance

While it may be the largest city in Maryland, Baltimore is draped in small-town vibes. Over 550,000 people make it home and many of them will tell you that it’s as if everyone knows everyone (or they know someone who knows someone). In fact, the high likelihood that you’ll run into someone you know is what gave it one of its many nicknames: Smalltimore.

Beyond its tight-knit community, Baltimore also provides an affordable urban setting that’s surprising for an east coast city. It’s full of high-quality craft breweries, a hopping nightlife and great seafood. You’ll also enjoy plenty of museums, theaters and galleries, as well as beautiful views along Inner Harbor. 

Add in that it boasts a thriving job market and an easy commute to other major east coast cities, and it’s really no wonder why so many folks like living in Baltimore.

Baltimore History and Culture

Baltimore is rich in history and culture. It is the birthplace of famous authors and poets including Frederick Douglass, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Edgar Allan Poe and F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s also where Francis Scott Key witnessed a British attack and wrote what would eventually become the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

The city has done a great job preserving much of its history in its architecture and gorgeous waterfront neighborhoods such as Fells Point, where you can sail out on a pirate cruise, stroll along the harbor or grab a drink at one of the many craft breweries—or maybe just stop by The Horse You Came in On Saloon, the oldest saloon in the country. If you’re hungry and need a bite with your beer, Maryland is located on the Chesapeake Bay, making it one of the best spots for seafood, especially the iconic blue crab.

For days and nights out, the city is bursting with things to do. You’ll have access to great art and history museums, the symphony and opera, live music venues, theater and more. There are also a ton of festivals throughout the year, including Artscape, HONfest, Baltimore Pride and the Maryland Film Festival.

And then there are the sports. As home to the Ravens (NFL) and the Orioles (MLB), Baltimore earned yet another nickname: Birdland. While the Orioles can be hot or cold, the Ravens are a young team that’s historically proven itself on the field. Fans of both teams mean business, so be prepared to get serious on game days. 

Maryland’s Unemployment Rate Recently Hit Record Lows

At the end of 2023, Maryland had the lowest unemployment rate in our nation’s history. Baltimore’s numbers reflect that trend, coming in at just 2.8 percent in early 2024.

If you’re moving to Baltimore looking for work or a career transition, you may want to start in the healthcare sector. Baltimore is home to some well-known names in education and medicine, including Mercy Health Services and the world-renowned Johns Hopkins, making it no surprise that these and similar organizations are some of the city’s largest employers.

Other key industries in Baltimore include financial and professional services, culture and tourism, bioscience technology and advanced manufacturing.

Baltimore Cost of Living

Given its proximity to D.C., Baltimore has a surprisingly decent cost of living. While it’s just higher than the national average, costs here are 13 percent lower than the state numbers, with housing well below the average prices seen throughout Maryland.

In fact, buying a home in Baltimore is more affordable than many other major metros in the U.S., making it a great place to start looking if you want to buy. In February 2024, the median home sale price was just under $200,000. While the market is still considered somewhat competitive, more homes on the market are seeing price drops and fewer are closing above asking. 

While the country has seen median rent growth going down over the last year, rents in Baltimore have seen a slight increase of 1.2 percent since early 2023. As of April 2024, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,203, with a two-bedroom just slightly more at $1,506. That’s still well below the cost to rent in nearby D.C., making Baltimore a great option for those commuting into the capital.

And commuting may be the way to go. The median household income is just $58,349, nearly half of the median incomes seen in D.C.

Baltimore Neighborhoods

Baltimore’s 200-plus neighborhoods and suburbs are vibrant, charming and full of history. You’ll find green space, fine dining, culture and plenty of game day spirit throughout the city. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Baltimore:

MOUNT VERNON

This cultural neighborhood is one of Baltimore’s oldest. It’s full of historical landmarks, museums, live music and good cuisine. A mix of single-family homes and condos make it a great spot for families and young professionals.

HAMPDEN

Hampden is for the hipsters. Artsy and big on community building, this neighborhood is full of independently owned shops and restaurants, fun recreational options and tons of events year-round, such as HONFest.

FEDERAL HILL

Residents here have the best of both worlds: plenty to do and beautiful views of the Inner Harbor and skyline. It’s also one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Baltimore and is just a short drive to Downtown.

CANTON

Canton is considered a happy medium between urban living and suburban lifestyles. Full of green spaces and waterfront, it’s a great place for the kids. The community also enjoys some of the best seafood around, with festivals to celebrate it.

FELLS POINT

History lovers, welcome to Fells Point. With its cobblestone streets, brick Colonials and stunning harbor views, this neighborhood speaks of times long gone. But hidden behind the history you’ll find great shopping, taverns and delicious dining.

Other neighborhoods to include in your Baltimore home search:

• South Baltimore
• Mid-Town Belvedere
• Locust Point
• Harbor East
• Mt. Washington

Baltimore Transportation

If you’re thinking of moving to Baltimore but commuting to D.C. (or even Philly or New York), you’re not alone. Many folks who work in D.C. live in Baltimore, taking advantage of the railway system that connects it to other east coast cities. 

If you’re staying in town, know that while some consider driving in Baltimore to be easy due to its gridded streets, TomTom placed Baltimore at number 6 in its list of U.S. cities with the most traffic, coming in just behind Chicago and Boston. And on game days? Forget about it. You aren’t going to want to drive in that.

Thankfully, the city has a robust public transportation system. Downtown, you’ll be able to take advantage of the Charm City Circulator, a free bus system that runs about every 15 minutes along four routes. To make it somewhere outside of downtown or into the suburbs, you can take the much larger MTA bus service. The MTA costs just $5 for a day pass and offers more than 60 routes on its CityLink, LocalLink and Express BusLink services.

If you’re looking for a more enjoyable way to get around to the waterfront neighborhoods, you’ll have to check out the Baltimore Water Taxi.

Rather enjoy the weather? WalkScore gave Baltimore a decent rating for its walkability, with residents being able to get a lot done on foot—especially if they’re in the downtown area. There are also plenty of dockless scooters and bicycles around to enjoy, too.

Education Opportunities in Baltimore

During the last school year, public K-12 schools in Baltimore showed decent improvement according to the state’s performance ranking system. This is partly due to the city’s schools having more room for improvement than surrounding districts, but the increased rankings still indicate that steps are being taken in the right direction. Some of the top-ranked schools in the city include Rodgers Forge Elementary, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College.

Alternatively, about 17 percent of Baltimore’s K-12 students are educated in one of the city’s 93 private schools.

If you are looking to earn your degree (or snag another one), you’re in luck. Baltimore is home to the famous Johns Hopkins University, known for its School of Medicine, Whiting School of Engineering and its School of Education. Other options include the University of Maryland and Morgan State University.

Baltimore is Best in the Shoulder Seasons

If you’ve ever heard D.C. called a swamp in the summer, remember that Maryland is right next door. Living in Baltimore means dealing with hot, humid summers. July is the worst by far, with average highs hitting 88 degrees Fahrenheit. On the plus side? You can expect some beautiful sunny days!

You’ll want to hold onto those, as winters are cold, gray and snowy, with average lows in January dipping below freezing to 31 degrees.

10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Baltimore

Art. History. Good food. Great sports. Baltimore is a lively city with something for everyone to love. Here’s a list of 10 must-dos in Charm City:

1. Visit the landmark Inner Harbor, one of the nation’s oldest seaports and home to museums, stores, good food and more.
2. Get spooked at some famous graves, including those of Edgar Allen Poe and the man who invented the Ouija board.
3. Dine at the kitsch-y Papermoon Diner, full of pop culture paraphernalia.
4. Check out the colorful Graffiti Alley.
5. Check out the B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of the American Railroad.
6. Plan to attend Artscape, the country’s largest free arts festival.
7. Immerse yourself in a unique creative experience with Glow-in-the-Dark Splatter Painting.
8. Check out the Fells Point neighborhood, known for its maritime history—pirates included!
9. Fill up on crab! Whether it’s steamed or turned into a cake or dip, Baltimore is known for its crab.
10. See the Baltimore birds in action—the Ravens (NFL) and Orioles (MLB), that is.