Baltimore: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Baltimore center on a median $62,177 (about the same as Baltimore city median $62,177; 1.7× below Maryland median $103,678), with homes at a median value of $229,600. The surrounding county supports 348,184 jobs (avg $82,818).
- $65,400 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Maryland $92,280).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $62,177 — below the Maryland median ($103,556). Poverty rate 19.7% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 45% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.7× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 24.9% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 44.6% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 19.7% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 5.4% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $259,640 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $16,980,399 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $65,400 (vs Maryland $92,280) |
| Income Estimate | $67,941 |
| Median Household Income | $62,177 (vs Maryland $103,556) |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $62,177 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.1% — near the U.S. average of ~4%. 18% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 29.10 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 17.8% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 348,184 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $28,836,035,565 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $82,818 |
| All Occupations · Employment | 2,677,430 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% (vs Maryland 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 12,365 |
|---|---|
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 289,711 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 21,692,023 |
Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 237 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 166 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 213 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 98 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 80 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 31 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 18 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 415 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 637 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 124 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 118 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Erdman Amoco |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 631 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | BALTIMORE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $7,081,035,182 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 12,089.70 (at Maryland median) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 585,708 people (vs Maryland 31,302) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 12 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 55.5% |
| Pct Public Transit | 5.6% |
| Pct Walked | 17.8% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 36.2 years (vs Maryland 37.9y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 27.6% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 10 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12