In essence, Baltimore, MD and Pittsburgh, PA, two iconic cities in the United States, differ based on their crime rates, weather patterns, living costs, education systems, economic activities, infrastructure status, occupational opportunities, renowned employers, real estate conditions, neighborhood charm, transportation options, taxed amounts, cultural practices, sports fanaticism, geographical uniqueness, and health care provision. Each city provides a unique experience for residents and tourists alike, each boasting its unique attractions and challenges.
Distance between
Baltimore, MD and
Pittsburgh, PA : 194.6 miles
Baltimore's population is larger by 92%. Its population has decreased by 74,656 people (11.5%) since 2000. The population of Pittsburgh has decreased by 34,132 people (10.2%) during that time.
Baltimore struggles with a relatively high crime rate, particularly in regard to violent offenses, which can be noticeably higher than the national average. It is, however, essential to understand that like many cities, crime in Baltimore is concentrated in specific areas. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, boasts a lower crime rate, including less violent crimes. Both cities have dedicated law enforcement agencies working hard to improve safety and reduce crime rates.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,558 registered sex offenders living in Baltimore and 699 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Baltimore is 395 to 1; the ratio in Pittsburgh is 434 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Baltimore is near to than in Pittsburgh.
Cost of Living
Pittsburgh has a noticeably lower cost of living compared to Baltimore. In terms of housing costs, groceries, and other day-to-day expenses, Pittsburgh stands out as the more affordable city. However, Baltimore offers a greater diversity in terms of dining and shopping experiences, which may justify the slightly higher cost of living.
Income Tax
In Baltimore, the city and state combined income tax can range up to 8.25%, while in Pittsburgh, the income tax rate (city and state combined) amounts to about 3.07% plus a local tax of 3%.
Property Tax
Baltimore's combined city-state property tax rate is higher than Pittsburgh's. Baltimore homeowners might encounter rates of about 2.248%, while Pittsburgh homeowners are looking at rates around 1.50%.
Sales Tax
In Baltimore, Maryland, the combined city and state sales tax rate is 6%. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has a relatively higher combined city and state sales tax rate of 7%.
Income
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Estimated median household income
$54,652
$57,821
Estimated per capita income
$35,091
$39,779
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
105.7
95.2
If you make $50,000 in Pittsburgh, you will have to make $55,515 in Baltimore to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Baltimore is considered a coastal city with the iconic Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay nearby. Pittsburgh is known as the "City of Bridges" due to its many rivers and bridges, and its geographical situation in the Appalachian Mountains leads to some hilly terrain.
Both cities are known for their education institutions. Baltimore is home to prestigious universities like Johns Hopkins University and Loyola University Maryland. Pittsburgh is equally competitive, hosting the University of Pittsburgh and the renowned Carnegie Mellon University. Both cities have strong commitments to education, including public and private schooling for K-12 levels.
Baltimore's economy is diverse with strong sectors in health, science, service, and finance. Government jobs are also prevalent given the city's proximity to Washington D.C. Pittsburgh's economy has transitioned from a steel-based industry to one focused on healthcare, education, and technology, with many calling it the new "Silicon Valley" of the east.
Biggest Employers
Johns Hopkins University and its healthcare system are the largest employers in Baltimore. In Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh are significant contributors to employment.
There were 191 building permits issued in Baltimore in 2012 (116 more than in 2011) compared to 198 building permits issued in Pittsburgh in 2012 (86 less than in 2011).
In Baltimore (Baltimore city), 87.4% voted for Democrats and 11.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), 56.5% voted for Democrats and 42.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
2020
87.5%
59.4%
10.7%
39.0%
1.8%
1.5%
2016
84.8%
55.9%
10.5%
39.5%
4.6%
4.6%
2012
87.4%
56.5%
11.1%
42.0%
1.4%
1.5%
2008
87.6%
57.1%
11.7%
41.7%
0.6%
1.2%
2004
82.5%
57.2%
17.1%
42.2%
0.5%
0.6%
2000
82.9%
56.6%
14.2%
40.4%
2.9%
2.9%
1996
79.3%
52.8%
15.5%
37.9%
5.1%
9.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.0%
37.7%
8.2%
15.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.6%
0.6%
4.0%
1.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.4%
1.4%
2.2%
3.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.4%
0.2%
7.3%
2.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
2.0%
4.3%
6.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.6%
0.5%
1.5%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.2%
1.5%
0.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.8%
1.8%
SALVATION ARMY
0.0%
0.3%
0.0%
0.8%
Weather
The weather varies in these cities with Baltimore experiencing a more mild and warmer climate due to its coastal location. Summers are humid and winters generally milder. Pittsburgh, further inland and in a different climate zone, has a somewhat harsher climate with relatively cooler winters and summers that are warm but less humid than in Baltimore.
Weather and climate
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Temperature - Average
54.5°F
51.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
70.4%
73.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
36%
36%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
84%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
42.9 in
38.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
39.6 in
87.7 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.5%
9.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.3%
46%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
31%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
63%
54%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
47%
23%
Wind speed - Average
7.9 mph
8.5 mph
Average climate in Baltimore, Maryland
Average climate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
2018
89
105
0.23
0.26
11.8
5.7
28.3
24.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.1
7.9
11.8
0.1
0.6
2017
89
102
0.25
0.25
12.1
5.7
27.7
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.4
8.2
9.5
0.2
0.6
2016
102
100
0.26
0.27
13.0
6.5
28.3
25.9
0.002
N/A
N/A
15.6
7.7
10.4
0.3
0.7
2015
89
110
0.28
0.26
12.4
7.5
28.3
24.8
0.007
N/A
N/A
18.6
9.5
11.0
0.4
1.0
2014
82
107
0.25
0.30
11.8
9.3
25.7
23.1
0.042
N/A
N/A
18.1
10.9
10.4
0.6
1.2
2013
86
99
0.22
0.27
10.7
10.8
25.6
25.1
0.164
N/A
N/A
16.6
9.6
10.3
0.5
2.4
2012
98
120
0.24
0.33
11.3
13.0
25.0
25.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.5
11.2
10.3
0.5
2.5
2011
101
118
0.24
0.29
12.5
13.3
25.1
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.6
12.1
12.2
0.8
2.6
2010
110
151
0.24
0.37
13.1
13.6
26.9
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.2
12.2
12.1
1.0
5.0
2009
84
129
0.23
0.23
12.2
12.9
23.5
23.0
0.017
N/A
N/A
18.5
10.4
14.9
1.4
4.0
2008
96
135
0.25
0.26
13.6
16.1
21.6
22.3
0.017
N/A
N/A
20.6
12.8
16.7
1.8
4.8
2007
107
140
0.21
0.39
13.8
15.6
23.2
22.8
0.010
N/A
N/A
21.7
14.0
19.0
2.5
5.9
2006
112
149
N/A
0.35
12.0
16.2
24.6
20.2
0.028
N/A
N/A
19.3
14.7
16.1
N/A
6.6
2005
111
107
N/A
0.33
14.3
19.1
26.3
20.0
0.031
N/A
23.0
20.9
17.1
N/A
N/A
7.4
2004
108
93
N/A
0.41
15.3
18.9
28.0
19.7
0.019
N/A
23.1
21.0
16.3
N/A
N/A
6.6
2003
110
102
N/A
0.36
17.8
19.6
22.4
21.3
0.032
N/A
N/A
21.3
13.9
N/A
N/A
8.7
2002
119
111
N/A
0.32
17.4
20.1
19.4
21.7
0.017
N/A
N/A
20.2
16.3
N/A
5.8
9.2
2001
104
107
N/A
0.60
18.2
21.2
23.9
21.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
26.0
N/A
N/A
6.0
8.5
2000
101
102
N/A
0.62
17.0
22.0
22.4
19.8
0.016
N/A
N/A
22.8
N/A
N/A
6.3
9.1
Natural disasters
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
117.8%
80.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
40.6%
44.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
0%
15%
Transportation
Both cities provide a range of public transportation services. Baltimore has buses, trams, and a metro system, while Pittsburgh offers buses, a light rail system, and the unique Inclines - funiculars that scale the city's steep hills.
Transport
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
136
233
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Bicycle
0.4%
0.8%
Bus
6.2%
9.3%
Carpooled
7.3%
7.4%
Car alone
77.2%
74%
Railroad
0.3%
0.7%
Streetcar
1.2%
0.6%
Subway
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.1%
Walked
4.5%
4.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Average
32.3 min
31 min
Other means
26.3 min
21.6 min
Public transportation
46.8 min
33.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
90.7%
90.3%
In 2 person carpool
7.5%
8%
In 3 person carpool
1%
0.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.3%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Baltimore grants a robust real-estate market with options ranging from high-end luxury condos to more affordable historic rowhouses. Pittsburgh's real-estate market is also vibrant, offering a wide variety of housing options ranging from metropolitan condos to suburban homes.
Neighborhoods
Baltimore boasts a range of neighborhoods each with unique charm. Fells Point is loved for its waterfront and historic cobblestone streets, while Hampden has a quirky, artsy vibe. Pittsburgh showcases neighborhoods like Shadyside with its lively cafes and boutiques and the Strip District known for its thriving markets and nightlife.
Houses and residents
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Houses
293,487
159,435
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.1
Median year apartment built
1959
1954
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.7 years
16.4 years
Houses occupied
254,370 (86.7%)
136,747 (85.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
123,249 (48.5%)
66,729 (48.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
131,121 (51.5%)
70,018 (51.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,254
$1,381
Median monthly housing costs
$1,196
$985
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$207,303
$325,759
Estimated median house or condo value
$193,100
$181,100
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.5
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$321,473
$256,260
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$218,934
$174,463
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$142,945
$299,629
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$257,173
$310,273
Median house price - mobile homes
$269,877
$187,764
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$210,096
$258,331
Median house price - All housing units
$246,241
$257,793
Median house age
72
80
Renting percentage
52.3%
52.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
3,632.1
2,868.3
House value disparities
38.5%
43.1%
Household income disparities
49.4%
49.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$85,990
$97,230
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$53,334
$58,579
Housing units without a mortgage
2,415 (2.8%)
2,260 (5.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
5,740 (6.6%)
4,417 (11%)
Housing units with a mortgage
84,578 (97.2%)
37,784 (94.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
579 (0.7%)
297 (0.7%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,544 (9.8%)
4,975 (12.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
15
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
6%
3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
5.1%
2.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
One, detached
16.4%
43.7%
One, attached
49.5%
15.6%
Two
4.5%
8.9%
3 or 4
4.9%
6.2%
5 to 9
5.5%
4.8%
10 to 19
4.8%
4.3%
20 to 49
2.8%
4.3%
50 or more
11.4%
11.5%
Mobile homes
0.2%
0.6%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
12,671
5,977
State government workers
20,410
5,427
Unpaid family workers
356
73
Industries and Occupations
Key industries in Baltimore include bio-science, technology, healthcare, and defense. Pittsburgh's economy is diversified with major industries including healthcare, education, technology, robotics, and finance.
Baltimore hosts some of the leading hospitals in the nation such as the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical Center. Pittsburgh is also well recognized in the healthcare sector, primarily due to the presence of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Baltimore is rich in historic architecture and boasts an extensive sea port, making it a hub for commerce. Pittsburgh also has a strong historic architectural presence, but shines in its impressive bridge infrastructure, with over 400 bridges spanning its many rivers and valleys.
Infrastructure
Type
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Hospitals
45
41
TV stations
19
22
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
215
250
Bank institutions located here
44
27
Main business address for public companies
27
37
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
13
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
1999
2,486
576
2000
2,058
539
2001
1,371
443
2002
1,111
378
2003
1,526
523
2004
2,929
614
2005
4,981
761
2006
5,533
807
2007
3,592
671
2008
1,111
347
2009
381
210
Culture and Food
Baltimore is known for its seafood, particularly the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and its distinct neighborhood festivals. Pittsburgh's cultural scene is vibrant and varied with influences from the city's immigrant past. It's known for unique food creations, such as the Primanti Brothers' sandwich and the Pirogie.
Sports Teams
Both cities have a rich sports culture. Baltimore is home to the NFL's Ravens and MLB's Orioles. In regard to professional sports, Pittsburgh is not far behind with the NFL's Steelers, NHL's Penguins, and the MLB's Pirates.
Baltimore, MD
Pittsburgh, PA
Baltimore, MD and 
Pittsburgh, PA : 194.6 miles
