Housing

The median home price of $212,600 in the Baltimore Metro Area is above the U.S. average of $158,700.  These prices are strong in the region, but more affordable than most counterparts in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.  Housing values in Greater Baltimore have dropped in the past 5 years, like most major metros in the US, but the percent decline is on pace with the US average. 

Residential Rents in Greater Baltimore are higher than many major US markets, but considering it's location in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, rents are more affordable than most areas.

Median Home Price
   
Median Gross Rent
Among the 25 Largest US Metro Areas
   
Among the 5 Major Regional Metros
1st Quarter, 2011
   
2009
 
 
Median
   
 
 
Median
Rank
Metro Area
Price
   
Rank
Metro Area
Price
1
San Francisco
$465,900
   
1
Philadelphia
$912
2
New York-No. NJ
$375,900
   
2
Baltimore
$1,048
3
San Diego
$374,800
   
3
Boston
$1,123
4
Boston
$322,100
   
4
New York-No. NJ
$1,125
5
Washington, D.C.
$294,800
   
5
Washington, D.C.
$1,303
6
Los Angeles
$292,700
   
 
US Average
$842
7
Seattle
$287,100
   
Source: American Community Survey, 2009
8
Denver
$223,800
         
9
Portland
$213,400
         
10
Baltimore
$212,600
         
11
Philadelphia
$199,100
         
12
Riverside, CA
$173,400
         
 
US Average
$158,700
         
13
Chicago
$155,000
         
14
Miami
$153,600
         
15
Houston
$145,500
         
16
Dallas
$143,100
         
17
Minneapolis
$140,600
         
18
Phoenix
$126,700
         
19
Tampa
$113,600
         
20
Cincinnati
$112,800
         
21
St. Louis
$107,400
         
22
Atlanta
$99,800
         
23
Cleveland
$87,000
         
-
Detroit
n/a
         
-
Pittsburgh
n/a
         
Source: National Association of Realtors, May 2011
         
Data Preliminary