The Safest Neighborhoods in Baltimore for 2026

Thinking about making a move to Charm City? You're not alone. Baltimore is home to more than 560,800 residents and nearly 2.9M in the greater metro area. Between the storied history, plethora of things to do, and neighborhoods full of personality, it's a city where so many people can thrive. But let's be real: like any big city, Baltimore has its challenges with crime. So if you're planning a move, you're probably looking for the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore. There’s lots of conflicting information out there, but we’ve done our research and have you covered.

Let’s go back. Did you say something about crime? Yes, unfortunately, you read that right. Baltimore is considered one of the most dangerous cities in America. But the majority of crime has generally been focused downtown in some high-poverty regions, such as Cherry Hill and Greenmount East. Thanks to more community involvement and police initiatives, though, those numbers are on the decline. One victim of violent crime is too many, of course, but the numbers are dropping. In fact, 2025 had the fewest homicides in 50 years and significant reductions across many crime categories.

So, where are the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore? And is it possible to thrive there? As you’ll see in the Baltimore neighborhoods we explore here, the Maryland capital lives up to its nickname as “The Greatest City in America.”

Safe Neighborhoods in Baltimore — FAQs

To get a better perspective on the safety of Baltimore neighborhoods, check out these answers to some frequently asked questions:

Q: What is the safest area in Baltimore?
A: According to NeighborhoodScout, Guilford earns the top spot on their list of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore. The area has a suburban feel and is popular with families and young professionals. For safe tourist-friendly spots, check out Inner Harbor, Little Italy, and Federal Hill.

Q: What is the best part of Baltimore to live in?
A: There's no single "best" part of Baltimore; it’s better to evaluate the areas using your priorities and preferences. If safety is at the top of your list, you may be interested in Roland Park, Mount Washington, and Locust Point. Roland Park feels like a quiet, tree-lined suburb tucked right inside the city limits, while Locust Point gives you that tight-knit community vibe with waterfront charm. Mount Washington is one of the best neighborhoods in Baltimore for families, thanks to its green spaces and high percentage of homebuyers.

Q: Is it safe to walk in Downtown Baltimore, especially at night?
A: Downtown Baltimore has plenty to offer during the day — visiting Lexington Market is a must — but be extra careful when the sun goes down. Theft and other crimes pop up, especially in East Baltimore, so it's smart to know where you're headed. That said, the main tourist areas stay pretty busy at night, so walking around there is generally fine if you keep your wits about you. Stick with a friend if you can, stay aware of your surroundings, and if a street feels off, just grab a rideshare or taxi to get back somewhere familiar. When in doubt, ask your hotel staff where they’d recommend eating, drinking, and shopping.

Q: Is Fells Point, Baltimore, a safe place to live?
A: Unfortunately, the historic district has a D+ rating from Crime Grade. But that figure may unfairly characterize Fells Point as a whole, which many residents and business owners maintain is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Baltimore. As with all big cities, though, Baltimore has pockets where you might not want to venture alone. Staying in well-traveled, well-lit areas, including much of Fells Point, means you’re less likely to encounter an unfortunate situation.

10 Safest Neighborhoods in Baltimore

Baltimore is a great place to live — its location, employment opportunities, and vibrant neighborhoods make it a desirable city to call home. And as a bonus? The cost of living in the city sits at 92.6 — 7.4 percent below the national average index. As for housing, the average home value in Baltimore is around $187,500, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,550 per month, across most of the safe neighborhoods in Baltimore, as well.

You’ll see 250 distinctive districts on a Baltimore neighborhoods map, which gives you plenty of options to find where you fit in best. But when you’re perusing a Baltimore neighborhood guide, here are some areas noted as the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Guilford is a quiet, suburban community known as one of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore — and it’s just minutes from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University.
(Source: SURE Group Real Estate via Facebook) 

1. Guilford

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,175
• Average home value: $557,400
• Great for: Families, young professionals, nightlife, commute, schools, restaurants, culture

Guilford, a prestigious North Baltimore neighborhood designed in the 1920s by the renowned Olmsted Brothers, is a lovely area featuring large, single-family houses and stately mansions set among mature trees. It’s also rated No. 1 among the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore by NeighborhoodScout. Residents enjoy its suburban feel just minutes away from schools, including the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. Restaurants and cultural centers are plentiful here, too, like Guilford Hall Brewery, a popular brew pub built in the original 1898 Crown Cork & Seal factory.

The neighborhood, one of the best areas to live in Baltimore, is primarily residential, with professionals and families calling Guilford home for generations. But it’s not far from modern conveniences. The Avenue at White Marsh, with retail, dining, and entertainment, is just a short drive northeast, and shopping at Belvedere Square is nearby, as well.

2. Roland Park

• Average rent (all sizes): $2,000
• Average home value: $602,600
• Great for: Families, young professionals, nightlife, diversity, commute, restaurants, shopping

Roland Park is a historic neighborhood in North Baltimore that was established as one of the first planned communities in the U.S. Today, it is a great place to call home, with designs in the area varying from late Victorians to modern Craftsman style.

With a reputation as one of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore City, the neighborhood is home primarily to professionals who commute to Downtown Baltimore and families, drawn by the quiet atmosphere and close-knit community vibe. Leafy streets and spacious lots are just part of the charm, along with top-rated schools, including The Bryn Mawr School, a private all-girls academy rated the No. 1 best private high school in the state of Maryland. And foodies won’t be disappointed, either: Eddie’s of Roland Park, a gourmet market with fresh produce and baked goodies, is a beloved local favorite.

Home to the beautiful and historic Federal Hill Park, this community is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Baltimore for families.
(Source: Federal Hill Main Street via Facebook)

3. Federal Hill

• Median rent (all sizes): $2,075
• Average home value: $329,400
• Great for: Families, nightlife, outdoor activities, commute

The Federal Hill neighborhood, a national historic district in South Baltimore, is known for its beautiful homes and diverse communities of luxury condominiums, historic row homes, and new-construction apartments. Residents enjoy easy access to the nearby Inner Harbor — but fun events are always happening in this lively area, as well, including the Fed Hill Frosty Fest, a festive holiday celebration in the heart of the historic district.

As for dining, plentiful options include Cross Street Market, an 1850s-era open-air shed for local farmers to sell their wares and now a hub with a dozen-plus destinations for casual bites, cocktails, and retail seafood. Also notable: Blue Moon Cafe, known for its delicious brunch options. 

4. Canton

• Average rent (all sizes): $2,300
• Average home value: $353,800
• Great for: Families, young professionals, nightlife, outdoor activities, restaurants, shopping

Located in Southeast Baltimore, Canton is a vibrant waterfront area. Like many Baltimore neighborhoods, it began as an industrial hub and now features fully restored row houses and contemporary condos. Popular with young professionals and first-time homebuyers, this community is surrounded by parks, including the eight-acre Canton Waterfront Park, with a promenade and beautiful harbor views. The Baltimore Seafood Fest, held here every year, is a must-do.

Take a walk through the quaint streets of Canton around Brewers Hill for shopping and lively dining, and stop by Gunther & Co. for some of the most delicious tastes in the city. Another Canton notable: Mama’s on the Half Shell — seafood, of course.

Locust Point, one of the most historic Baltimore neighborhoods, has evolved into a blend of classic row homes and new luxury townhouses and apartments.
(Source: SURE Group Real Estate via Facebook)

 5. Locust Point

• Median rent (all sizes): $2,300
• Average home value: $421,700
• Great for: Nightlife, outdoor activities, commute, culture, restaurants

Locust Point is known for its vibrant multicultural atmosphere — and as the home of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, where Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner! With its industrial and maritime vibe still tangible, Locust Point has evolved into a blend of classic row homes and new luxury townhouses and apartments.

This East Coast neighborhood has plenty of things to do, with dining focused on fresh, local seafood — must have: Steamers, a beloved neighborhood “crab shack” in a corner row house. As for arts and culture, the Baltimore Immigration Museum and The Baltimore Museum of Industry chronicle the rich history of this Charm City neighborhood.

6. Inner Harbor

• Average rent (all sizes): $2,650
• Average home value: $337,100
• Great for: Young professionals, singles, nightlife, outdoor activities, commute, restaurants

Just five minutes from Downtown Baltimore, the city's Inner Harbor district overlooks the Patapsco River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Once a bustling seaport, the harbor fell into decline until the 1970s, when revitalization brought it back to life as a tourist destination. Today, cultural landmarks like the National Aquarium and The Maryland Science Center share the area with dining mainstays like Phillips Seafood, a local chain with the most delicious hardshell crabs you’ll ever find.

The area is ideal for young professionals and singles looking for a vibrant urban district, among the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore, with plenty to do. Housing options in Inner Harbor are primarily contemporary condos and apartments — some with over-the-top luxury amenities and views of the harbor. And residents can easily access the Charm City Circulator — part of Baltimore’s public transportation system — and light rail to catch the next flight out from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Though only a 20-minute drive away, Cheswolde is a peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood that feels far removed from the high-energy city center.
(Source: Cummings & Co. Realtors via Facebook)

7. Cheswolde

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,500
• Average home value: $413,500
• Great for: Families, young professionals, retirees, nightlife, parks

Located in Northwest Baltimore, Cheswolde is a peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood that feels far removed from the high-energy city center (even though it’s only 20 minutes away). The neighborhood is anchored by the scenic Lake Roland, 500 acres of woodland wetlands filled with hiking trails, boardwalks, and a dog park that draws nature lovers from across the region.

When it comes to dining, Cheswolde keeps things local and welcoming. Stop by The Corner Pantry, a popular British-inspired café serving up house-made pastries, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and some of the best sausage rolls in town. For a casual dinner with family or friends, Tov Pizza delivers consistently solid pies with a loyal following. And if you're craving a classic deli experience, Seven Mile Market has you covered with fresh sandwiches, smoked fish, and all the staples you need to stock your pantry.

8. Evergreen

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,450
• Average home value: $426,500
• Great for: Families, students, outdoor activities, commute, schools

The neighborhood of Evergreen in North Baltimore is convenient to the University of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University, so you’ll find plenty of professors, staff, and families in this neighborhood of various housing styles. Victorian and Queen Anne homes, row houses, and single-family detached designs are the hallmarks of Evergreen, but residents can also choose from a selection of apartments and condominiums, many with small front porches.

Known for its tree-lined streets and spacious parks, Evergreen is one of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore, and it certainly lives up to its name — Stony Run Park, a three-mile trail alongside the Stony Run stream, offers a calm retreat within the city. And Sherwood Gardens is a popular destination in spring when its 50,000 tulips are in bloom. For dining, Namaste Baltimore welcomes guests for top-tier Indian cuisine in a comfortable family-owned setting.

8. Evergreen

• Average rent (all sizes): $2,300
• Average home value: $351,700
• Great for: Young professionals, families, nightlife, outdoor activities, commute, restaurants, shopping

Like many safe neighborhoods in Baltimore, Riverside features a mix of apartment buildings and row house styles. It's a popular area for young professionals moving into the area, but it is also home to families who have been in Baltimore for generations. Although many of the row houses were built during the design’s heyday in the 1900s to 1920s, most have been renovated and updated.

Riverside residents enjoy easy access to shopping and dining, including the Riverside Taphouse (try the duck-fried donut holes) and The Outpost, a family-friendly spot for seafood and craft cocktails.

10. Mount Washington

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,375
• Average home value: $450,500
• Great for: Families, diversity, outdoor activities, health, and fitness

Rated one of the safest neighborhoods in Baltimore City, Mount Washington is located in the northwestern area, with a quiet, country feel complemented by plenty of green space and family-friendly recreation. Northwest Park, for instance, is home to acres of sports fields, a neighborhood playground, and the Eric Waller Mt. Washington Community Vegetable Garden. Home styles in this suburban enclave include Tudor, Colonial, and Craftsman ranch houses, many with spacious yards and shaded streets.

Residents have easy access to all the hubbub of the downtown Baltimore neighborhoods, but staying close to home is fine, too. Options include Mt. Washington Village, an eclectic collection of shops, and for a delicious dinner, Ethel’s Creole Kitchen, where the chefs serve up classic dishes with New Orleans flavors.

Which One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Baltimore Stands Out to You?

As you can see, there are a host of safe neighborhoods in Baltimore. Once you find the one that’s right for you, make your move to Baltimore flexible with PODS portable moving containers. Pick the date you want your container delivered, then take your time packing and loading — which is no problem with one month’s storage included in the cost of every PODS move. If you need a helping hand, PODS can even refer you to local packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting.

To get started, visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe, Zumper, and Niche; average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}