City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Baltimore and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 247 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Baltimore costs less and Madison pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Baltimore has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Baltimore and Madison are 714 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $82 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $78,050 in Madison, up $15,873 (26%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 91 in Madison, down 247 points (73%).
The move
Madison and Baltimore are 714 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $82 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $15,873 (20%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 338 in Baltimore, up 247 points (271%).
Baltimore, MD
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Baltimore and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 6% cheaper than Madison
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,413 in Madison, so Baltimore is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $82, or $984 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Baltimore? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Madison's median income is 26% higher than Baltimore
Baltimore
$62,177
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Madison (about $15,873 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Madison is the stronger labor market on paper. Baltimore can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
73% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 73% lower than Baltimore
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 73% lower in Madison. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Madison is the easier city. Baltimore can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
38% more comfortable
Baltimore weather is 38% more comfortable than Madison
Baltimore
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Baltimore scores 38% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% cheaper here at about $1,331 a month. Choose Baltimore if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Baltimore if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 38%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Baltimore is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 73% lower than Baltimore (91 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 23/100 in Baltimore, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $1,331. I would vet the exact ZIP in Baltimore before trading 40 safety points for housing savings.
Baltimore rent at $1,331/month is still below Madison's $1,413, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Baltimore and 48°F in Madison.
Madison clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Baltimore deserves a serious look only when you already know the Baltimore block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and Madison, plus other cities in MD and WI.
