| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Baltimore/100k people | Maryland/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 32,656 | n/a (estimate) | 5,763 | 2,470 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 197 | n/a | 34.8 | 7.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 326 | n/a | 57.5 | 33.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 3,248 | n/a | 573.2 | 123.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 5,330 | n/a | 940.6 | 257.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 9,101 | n/a (estimate) | 1,606 | 420 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2,968 | n/a | 523.8 | 190.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 14,630 | n/a | 2,581.9 | 1,446.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,957 | n/a | 1,051.3 | 412.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 23,555 | n/a (estimate) | 4,157 | 2,050 | 1,760 |
The Baltimore crime rates are 172% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 9101 violent crimes in Baltimore (1606 per 100,000 people), which is 347.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 23555 property crimes (4157 per 100,000 residents) which is 136.2% higher than average.
Baltimore has a crime rate of 5763 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 171.95%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Baltimore. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Baltimore ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1606 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Baltimore stand at 1 in every 63 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Baltimore is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 197 murders in Baltimore, which equates to 35 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Baltimore being a very dangerous place to live.
Baltimore has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4157 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Baltimore is 1 in 25, which is far higher than the national average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Baltimore has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Baltimore reported 5957 vehicle thefts, which equates to 1051 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Baltimore is 1 in 96.
AreaVibes surveyed 448 local residents in Baltimore to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 17% of people answered that there was very little crime in Baltimore and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 83% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Baltimore a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Baltimore crime rate is 172% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 89.47 crimes per day - 24.93 violent crimes and 64.53 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Baltimore. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Baltimore has decreased by 11.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 18%, while property crimes have decreased by 8.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Baltimore is a large urban city with at least 54 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore include: Cheswolde Area, Roland Parl-Homewood-Guilford and Locust Point. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Fairfield Area, Federal Hill and Morrell Park.
In Baltimore, the poverty rate currently stands at 20%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Baltimore crime rates.
In Baltimore, 78.5% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Baltimore is $304,308, compared to a national average of $326,622.
| Item | Baltimore | Maryland | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 3,342 | 5,343 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Maryland /100K | National /100K |
| Maryland | 7,370 | 135 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Gambrills, MD | 3,011 | 94 | 457 | 550 |
| Hampton, MD | 4,823 | 109 | 532 | 642 |
| Fairwood, MD | 6,920 | 137 | 667 | 803 |
| Kingsville, MD | 4,776 | 147 | 718 | 865 |
| Scaggsville, MD | 10,210 | 147 | 719 | 867 |
| West Laurel, MD | 4,316 | 175 | 853 | 1,027 |
| Mays Chapel, MD | 12,573 | 180 | 880 | 1,060 |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 1,606 | 4,157 | 5,763 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 1,431 | 2,701 | 4,132 |
| Louisville, KY | 639,172 | 707 | 3,326 | 4,034 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 662,341 | 430 | 2,623 | 3,053 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 1,182 | 4,629 | 5,811 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 671,652 | 676 | 2,893 | 3,569 |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 1,606 | 4,157 | 5,763 |
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