City Comparison

Baltimore vs Springfield: How they compare

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Baltimore's median sold price is $275K with homes averaging 41 days on market; Springfield is at $689K and 23 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $275K), a difference of about $414K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.

Baltimore

MD

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$275K

$689K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

41 days

23 days

Price Range

$50K–$1.5M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Baltimore has a 55% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Baltimore schools | See Springfield schools

Baltimore

MD

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

55%

82%

Public schools

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Baltimore

MD

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

N/A

Blue

Major Highways

I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)

None

Property Tax

On a $275K home in Baltimore, you would pay ~$6,182/yr in property tax. In Springfield, a $689K home costs ~$7,648/yr. Springfield has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Baltimore

MD

Springfield

VA

Rate per $100

$2.248

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$6,182/yr

$7,648/yr

Notes

Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Baltimore (52) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Canton and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Baltimore

MD

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

65Somewhat Walkable
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

52

28

Bike Score

58

38

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Baltimore and Springfield. 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

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

11.2/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

28.5/1K

10.1/1K

MD

Search homes in Baltimore

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

VA

Search homes in Springfield

See active homes, then keep your shortlist and decisions together.

View homes

Decided between Baltimore and Springfield? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baltimore or Springfield more affordable?

Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Baltimore and Springfield?

Baltimore public schools have a 55% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee 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 Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Baltimore has no direct Metro access. Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

What are property taxes in Baltimore vs Springfield?

Baltimore has a property tax rate of $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Springfield's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$7,648/yr on a $689K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Baltimore and Springfield compare?

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

Search, save, choose your people, and organize the dates, documents, and updates that follow.