Baltimore, MD vs Oakland, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Baltimore
75.5
#444 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $58,349). Baltimore leads in cost of living index (108 vs 155). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 64).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#444) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 565,239 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $189,754 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 64 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 44.0 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+53.6 |
C
75.5 Score
Baltimore, MD
Major Maryland city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$189,754
Population
565,239
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
64
Northeast
View Baltimore, MD →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →