Baltimore city
MD · Pop. 577,193 · Urban County
Baltimore city, Maryland covers 81 square miles with a population of 577,193 and a density of 7125.8 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. A median home price of $219,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.48% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mercy Medical Center Inc is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Medical Center Inc, with an emergency room, is just 0.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 40.9 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.48% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A poverty rate of 20.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 7125.8 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Baltimore city, MD is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $219k
- Property tax
- 1.48%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.9"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Medical Center Inc, 0.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Baltimore city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Baltimore city?
- Baltimore city is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $219,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.48%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Medical Center Inc is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 17 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maryland Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Maryland
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The closest counties to Baltimore city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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