City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Safety is where Philadelphia and Baltimore split most clearly. Philadelphia scores 77 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,331 in Baltimore.
Baltimore is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Baltimore is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Philadelphia has rougher pockets and Baltimore has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Philadelphia and Baltimore are 90 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $66 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $62,177 in Baltimore, up $224 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 338 in Baltimore, up 77 points (30%).
The move
Baltimore and Philadelphia are 90 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $66 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $224 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 261 in Philadelphia, down 77 points (23%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Baltimore? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 5% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Baltimore is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $66, or $792 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
1% higher
Baltimore's median income is 1% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Baltimore
Winner$62,177
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Baltimore (about $224 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
23% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 23% lower than Baltimore
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Baltimore
Winner60°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 86/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Baltimore averages about 60°F (67°F highs). Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Baltimore (261 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 1% higher ($62,177), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Philadelphia scores 31/100 versus 23/100 in Baltimore. Rent is $1,397/month in Philadelphia and $1,331/month in Baltimore, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $66 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Philadelphia and 60°F in Baltimore.
Between Philadelphia and Baltimore, Philadelphia is ahead on safety — 31/100 safety versus 23/100. Lean Baltimore instead when you already know the Baltimore block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Baltimore?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Baltimore when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Baltimore, plus other cities in PA and MD.
