When comparing Boston, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland, there are significant differences in many areas including crime rate, climate, cost of living, and taxation, as well as cultural, professional, and educational opportunities. These two cities, steeped in American history, offer distinct atmospheres, residential options, and lifestyles. The following sections provide a detailed overview of essential factors for consideration by individuals interested in relocating or just visiting.
Distance between
Boston, MA and
Baltimore, MD : 356.1 miles
Boston's population is larger by 14%. Its population has grown by 65,635 people (11.1%) since 2000. The population of Baltimore has decreased by 74,656 people (11.5%) during that time.
Crime rates in both cities fluctuate, but Baltimore usually has a higher rate, making Boston generally safer. However, crime rates vary by neighborhood, so individual experiences may differ. Both cities have been making concerted efforts to improve safety, with Boston employing notably effective community policing practices. Baltimore has several community-based safety initiatives designed to cut down on crime.
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 331 registered sex offenders living in Boston and 1,558 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Boston is 2,033 to 1; the ratio in Baltimore is 395 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in Boston than in Baltimore.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Boston is significantly higher than in Baltimore. This includes factors like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. However, Boston also generally has higher median incomes, which can help offset these costs.
Income Tax
The state income tax in Massachusetts is a flat 5%, while Maryland has a graduated system ranging from 2% to 5.75%, plus a local income tax that varies by county. This could result in a higher overall income tax in Baltimore, depending on income level and specific location.
Property Tax
Property taxes are considerably higher in Baltimore than in Boston. Rates can be more than 2x higher in Baltimore, which is an important consideration for homeowners.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is lower in Boston than in Baltimore. The combined sales tax rate for Boston is 6.25% whereas in Baltimore, the total sales tax rate is 6%, plus an additional 1% for Baltimore city residents.
Income
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Estimated median household income
$79,283
$54,652
Estimated per capita income
$50,337
$35,091
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
143.8
105.7
If you make $50,000 in Baltimore, you will have to make $68,023 in Boston to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Boston is flatter with a lower elevation compared to Baltimore, making it slightly more manageable for those with mobility issues. Both cities offer beautiful waterfront vistas, with Boston possessing a more extensive coastline.
Both cities boast renowned educational institutions. Boston, known as the "Athens of America", is home to prestigious universities such as Harvard and MIT. Baltimore is also a notable education center, with Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland nearby. Both cities offer solid public school systems alongside a variety of private options.
Boston's economy is stronger and more diverse than Baltimore's, leading to a lower unemployment rate. Driving sectors in Boston include biotech, finance, and higher education, whereas Baltimore’s economy is driven by service industries, healthcare, and maritime commerce.
Biggest Employers
In Boston, the largest employers include Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, and Liberty Mutual. Baltimore's biggest employers include Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Social Security Administration, and the University of Maryland Medical Center.
There were 53 building permits issued in Boston in 2012 (20 more than in 2011) compared to 191 building permits issued in Baltimore in 2012 (116 more than in 2011).
In Boston (Suffolk County), 77.4% voted for Democrats and 20.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Baltimore (Baltimore city), 87.4% voted for Democrats and 11.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
2020
80.6%
87.5%
17.5%
10.7%
1.9%
1.8%
2016
78.5%
84.8%
16.1%
10.5%
5.4%
4.6%
2012
77.4%
87.4%
20.8%
11.1%
1.8%
1.4%
2008
76.9%
87.6%
21.2%
11.7%
1.8%
0.6%
2004
75.9%
82.5%
22.8%
17.1%
1.3%
0.5%
2000
71.5%
82.9%
20.5%
14.2%
8.0%
2.9%
1996
73.0%
79.3%
19.9%
15.5%
7.0%
5.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
CATHOLIC CHURCH
46.1%
11.0%
12.4%
8.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.2%
1.4%
8.9%
2.2%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
0.6%
2.4%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
1.6%
4.7%
4.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.5%
4.0%
1.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.6%
1.4%
6.9%
7.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.4%
0.4%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
1.0%
0.7%
4.3%
Weather
Boston experiences all four seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm summers, while Baltimore has mild-to-cool winters and hot, humid summers. The annual snowfall in Boston can affect commuting and daily living conditions, while Baltimore's milder winters are easier to manage.
Weather and climate
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Temperature - Average
50.6°F
54.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
23.1%
36%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
78%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.3 in
42.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
88.3 in
39.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.4%
17.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.7%
60.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
63%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
47%
Wind speed - Average
12.5 mph
7.9 mph
Average climate in Boston, Massachusetts
Average climate in Baltimore, Maryland
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
Boston
Baltimore
2018
76
89
0.24
0.23
12.3
11.8
26.1
28.3
N/A
N/A
9.2
7.9
0.5
0.1
2017
83
89
0.26
0.25
12.5
12.1
26.4
27.7
N/A
N/A
8.9
8.2
0.6
0.2
2016
75
102
0.27
0.26
14.1
13.0
24.4
28.3
N/A
N/A
7.4
7.7
0.5
0.3
2015
81
89
0.30
0.28
15.7
12.4
23.4
28.3
N/A
N/A
8.9
9.5
0.8
0.4
2014
76
82
0.30
0.25
14.0
11.8
24.5
25.7
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.9
1.2
0.6
2013
86
86
0.30
0.22
13.5
10.7
26.2
25.6
N/A
N/A
9.8
9.6
1.3
0.5
2012
89
98
0.29
0.24
11.8
11.3
23.5
25.0
N/A
N/A
9.5
11.2
1.4
0.5
2011
87
101
0.30
0.24
14.8
12.5
24.2
25.1
N/A
N/A
10.5
12.1
1.6
0.8
2010
92
110
0.26
0.24
13.8
13.1
25.0
26.9
N/A
N/A
10.0
12.2
2.3
1.0
2009
86
84
0.32
0.23
15.3
12.2
23.5
23.5
N/A
N/A
9.7
10.4
2.4
1.4
2008
96
96
0.26
0.25
16.6
13.6
22.9
21.6
N/A
N/A
12.4
12.8
3.8
1.8
2007
124
107
0.28
0.21
18.5
13.8
19.9
23.2
N/A
N/A
13.9
14.0
4.0
2.5
2006
103
112
0.38
N/A
15.8
12.0
20.9
24.6
N/A
N/A
12.5
14.7
3.5
N/A
2005
115
111
0.28
N/A
17.0
14.3
22.1
26.3
23.0
N/A
12.7
17.1
4.3
N/A
2004
104
108
0.26
N/A
15.6
15.3
22.5
28.0
23.1
N/A
13.7
16.3
4.6
N/A
2003
116
110
0.55
N/A
20.1
17.8
22.4
22.4
N/A
N/A
14.5
13.9
5.2
N/A
2002
130
119
0.35
N/A
19.8
17.4
21.8
19.4
N/A
N/A
13.5
16.3
5.0
5.8
2001
112
104
0.44
N/A
19.9
18.2
20.7
23.9
N/A
N/A
13.6
N/A
5.9
6.0
2000
88
101
0.57
N/A
18.8
17.0
19.2
22.4
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
5.6
6.3
Natural disasters
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
55.3%
117.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
26.6%
40.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
33%
0%
Transportation
Boston offers a more developed public transportation system, making commute times shorter than in Baltimore. However, both cities offer extensive public transportation options.
Transport
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Amtrak stations
3
2
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
224
136
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Bicycle
1.7%
0.4%
Bus
7.1%
6.2%
Carpooled
6.8%
7.3%
Car alone
54.7%
77.2%
Ferryboat
0.2%
0%
Railroad
0.5%
0.3%
Streetcar
13.5%
1.2%
Subway
3.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.4%
0.7%
Walked
10%
4.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Average
38.6 min
32.3 min
Other means
26.1 min
26.3 min
Public transportation
38.6 min
46.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
87.1%
90.7%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
7.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.5%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Boston’s real estate is sky-high compared to Baltimore. Housing in Boston can be twice or even thrice as expensive, making Baltimore a more affordable housing market. However, while the cost of housing is far cheaper in Baltimore, it's important to research safe neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Boston’s neighborhoods are more upscale, with options like Back Bay and Beacon Hill offering a high standard of living. Baltimore has a more diverse range of neighborhoods, from the affluent Roland Park to the artsy Station North.
Houses and residents
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Houses
307,025
293,487
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.4
Median year apartment built
1957
1959
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.6 years
15.7 years
Houses occupied
271,941 (88.6%)
254,370 (86.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
94,497 (34.7%)
123,249 (48.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
177,444 (65.3%)
131,121 (51.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,632
$1,254
Median monthly housing costs
$1,883
$1,196
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,040,328
$207,303
Estimated median house or condo value
$659,700
$193,100
Median numbers of rooms
4.3
5.6
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
6.5
Median house price - detached houses
$683,896
$321,473
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$639,493
$218,934
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$745,440
$142,945
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$986,433
$257,173
Median house price - mobile homes
$117,668
$269,877
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
Over $1,000,000
$210,096
Median house price - All housing units
$793,380
$246,241
Median house age
73
72
Renting percentage
66.1%
52.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
6,340.1
3,632.1
House value disparities
23.5%
38.5%
Household income disparities
48.2%
49.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,364
$85,990
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,179
$53,334
Housing units without a mortgage
1,250 (1.8%)
2,415 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,686 (11.2%)
5,740 (6.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
67,144 (98.2%)
84,578 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
218 (0.3%)
579 (0.7%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,540 (13.9%)
8,544 (9.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.7%
5.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Boston
Baltimore
One, detached
12.0%
16.4%
One, attached
6.4%
49.5%
Two
11.9%
4.5%
3 or 4
24.1%
4.9%
5 to 9
11.2%
5.5%
10 to 19
7.2%
4.8%
20 to 49
8.0%
2.8%
50 or more
19.0%
11.4%
Mobile homes
0.1%
0.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,605
12,671
State government workers
12,810
20,410
Unpaid family workers
303
356
Industries and Occupations
Both cities provide a wide range of employment opportunities. Boston's key sectors include educational services, healthcare, and technology, while Baltimore is heavily dependent on healthcare, education, and social services.
Health care quality is notable in both cities. Boston is renowned worldwide for its hospitals, especially Massachusetts General. Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital is also globally recognized. Both cities provide excellent healthcare options.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Boston
Baltimore
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
The infrastructure in both cities is adequate yet aging. Boston, with its well-established transportation system, suffers from traffic congestion. On the other hand, Baltimore, while less congested, experiences challenges relating to the upkeep of its public roadways and bridges.
Infrastructure
Type
Boston
Baltimore
Hospitals
22
45
TV stations
22
19
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
146
215
Bank institutions located here
37
44
Main business address for public companies
60
27
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
2
13
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Boston
Baltimore
1999
1,237
2,486
2000
1,140
2,058
2001
947
1,371
2002
975
1,111
2003
1,536
1,526
2004
2,273
2,929
2005
3,225
4,981
2006
3,567
5,533
2007
2,652
3,592
2008
1,372
1,111
2009
910
381
Culture and Food
Both cities pride themselves on their rich history, diverse cultures, and food scenes. Boston, with its strong Irish influence, and Baltimore, with its noticeable African-American culture, provide unique, culturally-rooted experiences. Seafood lovers will have much to celebrate in both cities with their famous clam chowder and crabs respectively.
Sports Teams
In terms of sports, both cities are strongly represented. Boston is home to the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, and Patriots, while Baltimore boasts the Ravens and the Orioles. Both cities have fiercely loyal fan bases.
Boston, MA
Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA and 
Baltimore, MD : 356.1 miles
