City comparison
Yes. Portland's crime index is 265 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
The income gap between Portland and Baltimore is significant: $90,919 median household versus $62,177. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,655 in Portland and $1,331 in Baltimore.
Portland is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Baltimore makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Portland is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Baltimore at $1,331 average has pockets that run $1,131 and others at $1,731: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Portland and Baltimore are 2,356 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $324 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $28,742 (32%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 338 in Baltimore, up 73 points (28%).
The move
Baltimore and Portland are 2,356 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $324 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $90,919 in Portland, up $28,742 (46%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 265 in Portland, down 73 points (22%).
Portland, OR
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 Portland and Baltimore? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 20% cheaper than Portland
Portland
$1,655/mo
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,655 in Portland, so Baltimore is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,888, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Baltimore still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Portland.
Planning to buy in Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
46% higher
Portland's median income is 46% higher than Baltimore
Portland
Winner$90,919
Baltimore
$62,177
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 46% higher in Portland (about $28,742 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, Portland 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
22% lower crime
Portland's crime index is 22% lower than Baltimore
Portland
Winner265 (100 = avg)
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Portland's crime index is 265 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in Portland. 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, Portland 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
19% more comfortable
Portland weather is 19% more comfortable than Baltimore
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Baltimore
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland scores 19% 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 Baltimore 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 46% higher ($90,919), 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.
Portland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Baltimore (265 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Baltimore
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% 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.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Portland at $90,919 median income versus $62,177 in Baltimore. Housing ($1,331 in Baltimore, $1,655 in Portland) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Portland still pays more locally ($90,919 median income vs $62,177), which can offset the lease if your field pays Portland rates.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Portland and 23/100 in Baltimore.
If local pay drives your move, Portland is the stronger match ($90,919 median income against $62,177). If an employer or family tie already points to Baltimore, treat $1,331/month rent and $62,177 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Portland and Baltimore, plus other cities in OR and MD.
