Washington - DC vs Baltimore - MD: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 44% more expensive than Baltimore - MD in typical home value.

Washington vs Baltimore: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,156 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $2,199 in Baltimore, a gap of $958 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $1,937 in Baltimore, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 1.1 times rent in Baltimore, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 17.1 in Baltimore; the lower ratio in Baltimore means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and +2.2% in Baltimore; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and -0.1% in Baltimore.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 100.1% in Baltimore, after 19 and 16 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 30% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Baltimore has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and up 11% on a year ago in Baltimore.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.