Discover Apartments for Rent in Baltimore, MD

Fells Point, Mount Vernon and Hampden are often considered to be some of the best places to live in Baltimore. However, Baltimore is full of other amazing neighborhoods, so it can be difficult to narrow down the right area for you. With beautiful historic architecture, delicious restaurants, and stunning waterfront views, there’s so much to love about Charm City. 

Finding the Best Areas to Live In Baltimore

Ultimately, the best neighborhood in Baltimore is the one that’s right for you, which will depend on your needs and preferences. When deciding where to live, consider factors such as your commute to school or work, local amenities like school districts and parks, cost of living and the overall character of the area. 

Fells Point

This historic neighborhood is located on the Patapsco River, just east of the Inner Harbor. This area was first settled by colonists in the late 18th century, and many historic buildings from this era remain. The National Aquarium and National Historic Seaport are both within walking distance. 

While this area is popular with tourists, its wide range of food and entertainment options makes it popular with locals as well. This is one of the best areas in Baltimore to eat like a local and enjoy seafood classics like crab cakes and oysters. Fells Point is also known for its excellent selection of boutique shops and quaint, cobblestone streets.

Mount Vernon

A convenient, central location with plenty to do, the Mount Vernon Historic District is an excellent choice for anyone moving to Baltimore. This neighborhood is home to many popular attractions like the (Baltimore) Washington Monument, the Peabody Library and the Walters Art Museum. Mount Vernon is also full of excellent food and nightlife options. 

This neighborhood is in the perfect location for local students, as the University of Baltimore, Peabody Institute and Maryland Institute College of Art are just a short walk away. Additionally, Mount Vernon has access to local light rail and bus lines, so it’s easy to get around without a car. 

Hampden

The Hampden neighborhood is an excellent choice for those who want a laid-back vibe, but still want to be close to all the action. Hampden is just four miles north of downtown Baltimore and is directly west of Johns Hopkins University. It is also very close to the stunning Druid Hill Park. 

Hampden is a tight-knit community, and residents tend to be very friendly and welcoming. The neighborhood is artsy and is full of locally owned shops and cafés. The area is very walkable, but there’s also easy access to both the highway and the local light rail when you’re ready to explore the rest of the city. 

Of the 238 cities in NerdWallet’s cost of living database, Baltimore is ranked 39th, but when compared to other major US cities, Baltimore tends to be slightly less expensive. That said, living in Baltimore is more expensive than living in a small town. As with anywhere in the country, the cost of living in Baltimore varies depending on a variety of factors, including your salary, the neighborhood you live in, and your lifestyle. 

In general, the cost of living in Baltimore is seven percent higher than the national average. However, Baltimore is more affordable than many other large cities in the US, such as New York and San Francisco. 

Housing

The median home price in Baltimore is $453,371 with an average monthly energy bill of $180. For those renting, the median rental rate is $1,385 per month. The cost of housing in Baltimore will deviate from these numbers depending on what type of property you live in. Housing is the biggest expense in Baltimore, and the cost of housing is about 14% higher than the national average. 

Median Income

The median household income in Baltimore is $52,164. This is lower than the national average. However, Baltimore has a relatively strong job market and has rebounded well from the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Baltimore has a thriving healthcare industry with many opportunities both in and around the city. 

Other Costs of Living in Baltimore

The cost of food and grocery in Baltimore is ten percent above than the national average. Transportation costs are just two percent higher than average. However, the cost of healthcare in Baltimore is 19% lower than the national average, likely due to the abundance of providers in the area. 

Overall, How Expensive is Baltimore?

When compared to other big cities with a similar job market, Baltimore tends to be more affordable. Although housing is more expensive than the national average, the city has plenty of work and education opportunities, as well as excellent restaurants, entertainment, and parks. This means that living in Baltimore provides excellent bang for your buck.

Baltimore’s famous nickname hails from an effort in 1975 by the Mayor of Baltimore to share the city’s “hidden charm”. This advertising campaign centered around a new  nickname for Baltimore – Charm City – and it stuck.

A History of “Charm City”

While the city is full of rich history, it hit a rough right around the middle of the 20th century. As new forms of transportation made commuting easier, residents began moving farther from the city center.  Businesses then left the once-bustling downtown area for the suburbs, and several  workers’ strikes occurred. 

In an effort to remind citizens of all the great things his city had to offer, Mayor William Donald Schaefer reached out to the heads of four local advertising agencies to help him come up with a new slogan for the city. The team talked about Baltimore’s “hidden charm” and ultimately landed on the nickname Charm City for a massive advertising campaign. The name stuck, and Baltimore redeveloped over the next few decades, becoming the vibrant city that it is today. Locals love the name because it represents the city’s bright atmosphere, historic qualities and unique offerings.

Other Nicknames For Baltimore

While Charm City may be one of the most popular nicknames for Baltimore, it’s not the only nickname the city has earned over the years. Baltimore was named the “Monumental City” by John Quincy Adams in 1827. Many other nicknames refer to the city’s delicious crabcakes, such as “Crabtown” and “The Crabcake Capital Of The World”.

Baltimore is also referred to as the “City of Firsts”. Because Baltimore has such a long history, many historic firsts happened here—most notably the first national railroad in the US. Other more recent nicknames include “The City That Reads” and “The Greatest City in America”, both of which were coined as a part of local marketing campaigns. 

Charm City Today

The “charm” in Charm City is evident throughout Baltimore, Maryland today, whether it’s in the city’s beautiful historic districts, live entertainment, or just in the congeniality of its residents. You’ll even find the moniker used on local public transportation and local advertisements. Today’s Charm City is full of vibrant communities with something for everyone, whether you’re just visiting or hope to make Baltimore home.

Baltimore is a major city located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, and more specifically in central Maryland. It is north of Washington, D.C. and south of Philadelphia. Zip codes in Baltimore range from 21201 to 21298. 

Baltimore’s central location makes it an important transportation hub. Several interstates run through and around the city, including I-95 and I-83. Baltimore’s Penn Station is also an important stop for Amtrak’s high-speed Acela line as well as many others, and Baltimore/Washington International Airport is also one of the largest airports on the East Coast and a major connection hub. 

Where is Baltimore in Maryland?

Baltimore is very centrally located within Maryland. It is approximately 35 miles from both the state’s southern border with Washington, D.C. and the state’s northern border with Pennsylvania. Baltimore is located directly on the Patapsco River, approximately 15 miles from where the river meets the Chesapeake Bay. Because of its waterfront location, Baltimore has almost always been one of the most important ports in the United States. 

Is Baltimore a big city?

Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland and is a major metropolitan area on the East Coast. However, it is smaller than some of the other major cities in the region, such as Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. 

The population of Baltimore was approximately 585,000 people at the time of the 2020 census. The Baltimore metropolitan area, which contains the city of Baltimore and its suburbs, has a population of 2.84 million people. The population of Baltimore has been slowly but consistently shrinking since the 1960s. However, the city retains its beautiful historic neighborhoods and unique charm. 

Baltimore started developing in the early 18th century and many key neighborhoods were constructed hundreds of years ago and remain densely populated. As a result, Baltimore has the feel of a city that is much larger than it actually is. 

How far is Baltimore from D.C.?

Many Baltimore residents commute into the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and vice versa. The distance from downtown Baltimore to downtown Washington, D.C. is approximately 40 miles with a drive that takes approximately 90 minutes during rush hour and 60 minutes during off-peak times. Residents can also commute between the two cities via Amtrak or the MARC commuter rail. Amtrak trains take approximately 40 minutes while MARC trains take approximately 50 minutes because they make more stops. 

Baltimore is also within easy driving distance of Philadelphia and New York City. It takes about two and a half hours to drive to Philadelphia and about three and half hours to drive to New York City. Amtrak trains rides to Philadelphia last roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes, and those to New York City last about approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Baltimore residents have plenty of options when it comes to air travel. There are three airports in the Baltimore area with domestic and international flights available. 

Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the closest airport to Baltimore. It is just 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore and is easily accessible by car or by public transportation. The airport has five concourses with both domestic and international flights available. 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located just south of Washington, D.C. in Arlington, Virginia. The airport sits directly on the Potomac River. While this airport is not in Baltimore, it is still a popular choice for many Baltimore residents because it is within driving distance. 

DCA is the oldest and smallest airport in the Baltimore area. Its current layout with two terminals opened in 1997. Most flights out of DCA are domestic short-haul flights, although there are a few international flights to Canada available from this airport. 

Dulles International Airport

Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Northern Virginia, just 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C. It was constructed in the early 1960s to provide space for additional air traffic in the D.C./Baltimore area. It is the largest of the three major airports in the region and serves the most international traffic. It also offers service to international destinations that BWI and DCA do not provide. The airport has three terminals and five total concourses. 

What airport is in Baltimore, Maryland? 

While BWI, DCA, and IAD all serve travelers from Baltimore, BWI is the only airport that is located within the immediate Baltimore metropolitan area. 

Getting to Airports Near Baltimore

All three airports near Baltimore are accessible via car and public transportation. Each airport also offers on-site parking options. 

BWI is located near several key highways and is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Baltimore. It is also accessible via Light Raillink, MARC commuter rail and Amtrak. 

DCA is an hour away from downtown Baltimore by car. To get to DCA from Baltimore via public transit, travelers can take Amtrak or MARC commuter rail trains to Union Station in Washington, D.C. From there, they can use the Washington Metro’s Red and Blue/Yellow lines to travel to the airport. 

IAD is approximately 90 minutes away from Baltimore by car. Right now, buses are the only public transportation option for travelers going to Dulles. However, the Metro Silver Line extension is scheduled to open in late 2022, which will provide rail service from downtown Washington D.C. direct to Dulles. The Silver Line connects to the broader Washington Metro system, commuter rail and Amtrak.

What County is the City of Baltimore in?

Baltimore functions as an independent city, meaning that it is not part of any county. It has its own government independent of Baltimore County. However, the city of Baltimore is geographically surrounded by Baltimore County.

Baltimore City vs. Baltimore County

The city of Baltimore is independent of Baltimore County. The city of Baltimore is home to downtown Baltimore and the surrounding neighborhoods. Iconic neighborhoods like Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Mt. Vernon are all located within Baltimore city, as is Johns Hopkins University. 

Baltimore County is the county surrounding the area of Baltimore. Many of Baltimore’s suburbs are located within Baltimore County, including Towson, Owings Mills, Pikesville, and Dundalk. However, all of the towns within Baltimore County are unincorporated and are run by the county government. 

What is an independent city? 

Baltimore is the largest city in the United States that functions independently and is not part of a county. St. Louis, Missouri and Carson City, Nevada are two other examples of major independent cities. There are also many cities in Virginia that are independent cities because of the way the Virginia state constitution is written. 

Baltimore has been an independent city since 1851, when it was given this designation by the Maryland state constitution. Historically, many other major cities in the U.S. were once independent cities, but have since been absorbed into surrounding counties for governance purposes. 

Where is Baltimore County?

Baltimore County surrounds the city of Baltimore on the north, east, and west. On the north side, Baltimore County runs from the Baltimore city line all the way to the Pennsylvania border. Interstate 83 runs through the center of the county. On the east side, Baltimore County extends to the Chesapeake Bay. On the west side, Baltimore County extends to Liberty Reservoir.