Market Overview
Baltimore's median sold price is $275K with homes averaging 41 days on market; Rockville is at $647K and 32 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Rockville is pricier ($647K median vs $275K), a difference of about $372K. Rockville moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Median Sold Price
12 months through Aug 2026
$275K
$647K
Avg Days on Market
12 months through Aug 2026
41 days
32 days
Price Range
$50K–$1.5M
$200K–$1.8M
Notable Neighborhoods
Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park
Rockville Town Center, Twinbrook, King Farm, Fallsgrove
Schools
Baltimore has a 55% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. See Baltimore schools | See Rockville schools
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Avg Pass Rate
55%
85%
Public schools
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School
Richard Montgomery High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Julius West Middle School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Rockville is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Rockville has 3 Metro stations, including Rockville on the Red line. Major highway access: Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83), Rockville (I-270, I-495, Rt 355).
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Drive to Downtown
~65 min
~30 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
3 Metro stations (nearest: Rockville)
Metro Lines
N/A
Red
Major Highways
I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1
I-270, I-495, Rt 355, Rt 28
Commuter Rail
MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)
MARC (Brunswick Line)
Property Tax
On a $275K home in Baltimore, you would pay ~$6,182/yr in property tax. In Rockville, a $647K home costs ~$6,393/yr. Rockville has the lower rate at $0.988 per $100 of assessed value.
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Rate per $100
$2.248
$0.988
Est. Annual Tax
Based on median home price
$6,182/yr
$6,393/yr
Notes
Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)
Montgomery County rate; City of Rockville adds $0.328
Walkability
Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 52 in Rockville. Transit scores: Baltimore (52) vs Rockville (42). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Canton and Rockville Town Center score much higher than suburban areas.
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Walk Score
Transit Score
52
42
Bike Score
58
55
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Baltimore and Rockville. 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.
Baltimore
MD
Rockville
MD
Reported Violent Crime
11.2/1K
1.1/1K
Reported Property Crime
28.5/1K
14.2/1K
MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or Rockville more affordable?
Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $647K in Rockville (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. Baltimore prices range from $50K–$1.5M. Rockville prices range from $200K–$1.8M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Baltimore and Rockville?
Baltimore public schools have a 55% average SOL pass rate; Rockville has 85% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Baltimore or Rockville?
Rockville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Baltimore has no direct Metro access. Rockville has Metro access (Rockville).
What are property taxes in Baltimore vs Rockville?
Baltimore has a property tax rate of $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Rockville's rate is $0.988 per $100 (~$6,393/yr on a $647K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.
How do Baltimore and Rockville compare?
Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Rockville is the seat of Montgomery County, offering a blend of urban amenities and suburban 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.