City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Safety is where Chicago and Baltimore split most clearly. Chicago scores 171 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,331 in Baltimore.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Baltimore costs less and Chicago 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. Chicago has rougher pockets and Baltimore has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Chicago and Baltimore are 605 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $109 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $15,725 (20%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 338 in Baltimore, up 171 points (102%).
The move
Baltimore and Chicago are 605 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $109 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $77,902 in Chicago, up $15,725 (25%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 167 in Chicago, down 171 points (51%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Baltimore, MD
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Baltimore? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 8% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Baltimore is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $109, or $1,308 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
25% higher
Chicago's median income is 25% higher than Baltimore
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Baltimore
$62,177
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Chicago (about $15,725 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, Chicago 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
51% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 51% lower than Baltimore
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% lower in Chicago. 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, Chicago 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
4% more comfortable
Baltimore weather is 4% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Baltimore
Winner60°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 86/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Baltimore averages about 60°F (67°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Baltimore averages around 60°F. Baltimore scores 4% 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 Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 51% lower than Baltimore (167 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.
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 8% 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 (60°F) beat Chicago on this page's weather index by 4%. Chicago may pay more or cost less, but Baltimore is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Chicago: Chicago scores 44/100 versus 23/100 in Baltimore, with typical rent at $1,440 versus $1,331. I would vet the exact ZIP in Baltimore before trading 21 safety points for housing savings.
Baltimore rent at $1,331/month is still below Chicago's $1,440, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,440 in Chicago.
Chicago 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 Chicago and Baltimore, plus other cities in IL and MD.
