Market Overview
Arlington's median sold price is $727K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Baltimore is at $275K and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Arlington is pricier ($727K median vs $275K), a difference of about $452K. Arlington moves faster, with homes averaging 38 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$727K
$275K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
38 days
41 days
Price Range
$350K–$2.5M
$50K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City
Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park
Schools
Arlington has a 89% average SOL pass rate; Baltimore has 55% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Baltimore, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College. See Arlington schools | See Baltimore schools
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Avg Pass Rate
89%
55%
Public schools
Yorktown High School, Washington-Liberty High School, Williamsburg Middle School
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Arlington is closer to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Arlington has 6 Metro stations, including Rosslyn on the Orange/Silver/Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Arlington (I-66, I-395, Rt 50), Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83).
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Drive to Downtown
~15 min
~65 min
Metro Stations
6 Metro stations (nearest: Rosslyn)
No Metro access
Metro Lines
Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow
N/A
Major Highways
I-66, I-395, Rt 50
I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1
Commuter Rail
None
MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)
Property Tax
On a $727K home in Arlington, you would pay ~$7,365/yr in property tax. In Baltimore, a $275K home costs ~$6,182/yr. Arlington has the lower rate at $1.013 per $100 of assessed value.
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Rate per $100
$1.013
$2.248
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$7,365/yr
$6,182/yr
Notes
Includes $0.003 stormwater fee
Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)
Walkability
Arlington is more walkable with a Walk Score of 69 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 65 in Baltimore. Transit scores: Arlington (57) vs Baltimore (52). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Ballston and Canton score much higher than suburban areas.
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
57
52
Bike Score
72
58
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Arlington and Baltimore. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Arlington
VA
Baltimore
MD
Reported Violent Crime
1.4/1K
11.2/1K
Reported Property Crime
15.2/1K
28.5/1K
VA
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Baltimore more affordable?
Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $727K in Arlington (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Baltimore prices range from $50K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Arlington and Baltimore?
Arlington public schools have a 89% average SOL pass rate; Baltimore has 55% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Arlington include Yorktown High School and Washington-Liberty High School; in Baltimore, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Arlington or Baltimore?
Arlington has the shorter commute to downtown at ~15 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Arlington has Metro access (Rosslyn). Baltimore has no direct Metro access.
What are property taxes in Arlington vs Baltimore?
Arlington has a property tax rate of $1.013 per $100 (~$7,365/yr on a $727K home). Baltimore's rate is $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Arlington and Baltimore compare?
Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.
Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.