Health · Baltimore
Baltimore, MD health
Baltimore differs from Maryland on 23 of 40 measures. It has fewer adults who have had cancer (5.7% vs 7.6%) and fewer adults with high cholesterol (35.3% vs 38.1%). Where it trails the state: more adults facing a utility shut-off (15.3% vs 8.4%).
CDC PLACES 2025 · adults 18+ · CDC's estimate for BaltimoreTownTapestry Health GradeNew
C
Baltimore’s Health Grade: C
On seven CDC health estimates for adults, Baltimore is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns.
C-Self-rated healthB-Physical distressCMental distressC+ObesityC-DiabetesCSmokingC+Exercise
All U.S. towns we grade (19,420)Healthier than 30%
Less healthyHealthier
Maryland towns we grade (332)Healthier than 13%
Towns with similar incomes, $47K–$78K (8,608)Healthier than 44%
About what its income would suggest. Baltimore does about as well against towns with similar incomes as against all towns.
These are estimates. At the ends of CDC’s likely ranges, Baltimore could be anywhere from D to B−.
How the Health Grade works
- Seven CDC estimates. Adults in fair or poor health, frequent physical distress, frequent mental distress, obesity, diabetes, smoking and no exercise (CDC PLACES, 2025 release). On each one a town earns the share of U.S. towns doing worse, and those shares are averaged. It’s the same score as our Healthiest towns in Maryland ranking.
- Graded on a national curve. Every U.S. town with 1,000+ residents and all seven estimates (19,420 places) is lined up by score: A+ top 5%A next 10%A- next 10%B B+ to B−, next 30%C C+ to C−, next 30%D D and D−, bottom 15%
- Not adjusted for income. Wealthier towns are usually healthier, and the grade shows that as it is. The similar-incomes bar compares Baltimore with U.S. towns whose median household income is within 25% of its own.
- Modeled, not measured. CDC combines national survey answers with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix. Baltimore uses CDC’s own estimate for it. High blood pressure is left out because it tracks age more than anything else. The confidence line recomputes the grade with every estimate at the low, then the high, end of its range.
Report card
How Baltimore compares with Maryland
Each theme counts how many of its measures are better, worse or too close to call against the state. Tap one to jump to it.
Chronic conditions
38.1% have obesity
2 better3 close7 worse
Habits
27.5% get no exercise
0 better2 close2 worse
Care & screenings
79.7% had a checkup
0 better4 close3 worse
Mind & connection
40.8% feel lonely
0 better0 close5 worse
Everyday needs
26.7% face food insecurity
0 better1 close4 worse
Disability
33.6% have a disability
7 measures · shown without a better/worse judgment
Chronic conditions
Out of every 100 Baltimore adults…
39 of every 100 Baltimore adults have high blood pressure
Maryland: 37 in 100 · worse · margin 36.9–42.1%
Bars show Baltimore; the black tick is Maryland. Tap a condition to see it as people.
Habits
Everyday habits, side by side with the state
Baltimore, betterBaltimore, worseToo close to callMaryland
Get no exerciseshare of adults
27.5% Baltimore
MD 23.6%
MD 23.6%
Sleep under 7 hoursshare of adults
41.1% Baltimore
MD 37.7%
MD 37.7%
Binge drinkshare of adults
16% Baltimore
MD 14.1%
MD 14.1%
Smoke cigarettesshare of adults
16.1% Baltimore
MD 10.9%
MD 10.9%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Care & screenings
Keeping up with care
Share of Baltimore adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maryland.
Yearly checkup
MD 79%Dentist visit
MD 64%Cholesterol check
MD 90%Colon screening
MD 68%Mammogram
MD 81%Taking BP meds
MD 77%1 in 10
working-age adults has no health insurance
Baltimore 10.4% · Maryland 1 in 11 (8.7%)
Mind & connection
How Baltimore adults are doing
1 in 2Baltimore adults feel lonely
40.8% · Maryland 34.3% · worse
1 in 4Baltimore adults have been diagnosed with depression
23.7% · Maryland 19.4% · worse
1 in 3Baltimore adults lack social or emotional support
28.7% · Maryland 24.2% · worse
1 in 5Baltimore adults are in frequent mental distress
18.6% · Maryland 15% · worse
Everyday needs
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
1 in 4
Baltimore adults worry about having enough food
26.7% · MD 15.4% · worse
1 in 4
Baltimore adults worry about keeping their housing
22.3% · MD 13.5% · worse
1 in 7
Baltimore adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
15.3% · MD 8.4% · worse
1 in 7
Baltimore adults lack reliable transportation
13.6% · MD 7.8% · worse
26.2% of Baltimore adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.8% across Maryland.
Disability
Living with a disability
33.6%
of Baltimore adults live with a disability (Maryland 26.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Walking or climbing stairs16.8%
Thinking or memory16.4%
Hearing5.1%
Errands alone10.1%
Vision7.1%
Dressing or bathing5.5%
Black tick: Maryland. Shown without a better/worse judgment.
Around Baltimore
Baltimore and the towns around it
Pick a measure to shade the map. Darker is worse for health. Pins are hospitals and community health centers in and near Baltimore.
26.5%41.1%· darker is worse for health
Obesity
#31 of 35towns on this map, healthiest first
Catonsville29.8%
Towson30.4%
Pikesville31%
Arbutus31%
Parkville35.2%
Pasadena35.3%
Rosedale36.3%
Woodlawn37.2%
Brooklyn Park37.3%
Dundalk37.8%
Baltimore38.1%
Baltimore Highlands38.5%
Lochearn40.7%
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC's estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC's own figure for cities and villages.
Getting care
Care in and near Baltimore
14 hospitals and 5 community health centers in Baltimore.
HNearest ERMercy Medical CenterBaltimore · 0.6 miDirections →
+Low-cost careHealth Care for HomelessBaltimore · 0.1 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
0.1 mi
Health Care for Homeless
4 sites · nearest in Baltimore
Our Daily BreadBaltimore · 0.1 mi
Whrc ClinicBaltimore · 0.2 mi
Health Care for the Homeless - 421 FallswayBaltimore · 0.4 mi
Health Care for the Homeless, West BaltimoreBaltimore · 2.2 mi
0.3 mi
Chase Brexton Health Services, Inc. - Mt. Vernon Center
Baltimore · community health center
0.4 mi
Baltimore Medical System
7 sites · nearest in Baltimore
East Baltimore Medical CenterBaltimore · 0.4 mi
AbsolutecareBaltimore · 0.5 mi
Belair Edison Family Health CtrBaltimore · 2.5 mi
Highlandtown Healthy Living CenterBaltimore · 2.6 mi
Baltimore Medical SystemBaltimore · 3.4 mi
Bms at Yard 56Baltimore · 3.4 mi
Bms at St. AgnesBaltimore · 3.9 mi
1.1 mi
Total Health Care
6 sites · nearest in Baltimore
Division Health CenterBaltimore · 1.1 mi
Kirk Health CenterBaltimore · 1.3 mi
Open Gates Health CenterBaltimore · 1.7 mi
Saratoga Health CenterBaltimore · 1.8 mi
Westside Health CenterBaltimore · 2.7 mi
South Baltimore Health CenterBrooklyn · 4.2 mi
3.8 mi
Park West Health Systems, Incorporated
3 sites · nearest in Baltimore
Park West Men & Family Hlth CtrBaltimore · 3.8 mi
Park West Medical Center - BelvedereBaltimore · 4.9 mi
Park West Medical Center - Plaza SiteBaltimore · 6.3 mi
4.7 mi
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Baltimore · not rated
Nothing matches.
! Primary carePart of Baltimore is a federal shortage area for some residents.Low-income residents, North Central Baltimore City · need score 22 of 25
! Dental carePart of Baltimore is a federal shortage area for some residents.Low-income residents, West Central Baltimore City · need score 19 of 25
! Mental healthPart of Baltimore is a federal shortage area for some residents.Low-income residents, Southeastern Baltimore City · need score 19 of 25
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Baltimore. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
All 40 measures for Baltimore
| Measure | Baltimore | Margin | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 39.4% | 36.9–42.1% | 36.8% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 35.3% | 32.6–38% | 38.1% | better |
| Obesity | 38.1% | 34.1–42.1% | 35.1% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 25% | 23–27.1% | 25.8% | about the same |
| Depression | 23.7% | 21.2–26.3% | 19.4% | worse |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 17% | 14.4–19.6% | 9.9% | worse |
| Asthma | 12.7% | 11.5–14% | 10.6% | worse |
| Cancer (not skin) | 5.7% | 5.2–6.2% | 7.6% | better |
| Diabetes | 14.4% | 13–15.8% | 12.5% | worse |
| COPD | 7.5% | 6.9–8.2% | 5.9% | worse |
| Heart disease | 6.3% | 5.8–6.9% | 5.8% | about the same |
| Stroke | 4.4% | 4.2–4.7% | 3.4% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16.1% | 14.5–17.8% | 10.9% | worse |
| Binge drink | 16% | 13.9–18.3% | 14.1% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 27.5% | 24.9–30.3% | 23.6% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.1% | 37.3–44.6% | 37.7% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 79.7% | 77.2–82.1% | 79.2% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 53.9% | 51.1–56.5% | 64.4% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 86.9% | 85.4–88.2% | 89.6% | worse |
| Colon screening | 68.8% | 65.3–72% | 68.2% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 81.2% | 76.6–85.1% | 80.7% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 75.9% | 73.8–78% | 76.6% | about the same |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6% | 8.7% | worse |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 40.8% | 37.1–44.8% | 34.3% | worse |
| Lack emotional support | 28.7% | 25.7–31.9% | 24.2% | worse |
| Frequent mental distress | 18.6% | 16.9–20.4% | 15% | worse |
| Fair or poor health | 23.5% | 21.6–25.5% | 17.9% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 13.9% | 12.7–15.3% | 12% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 26.7% | 24.4–29.2% | 15.4% | worse |
| Housing insecurity | 22.3% | 20.2–24.6% | 13.5% | worse |
| Utility shut-off threat | 15.3% | 13.7–16.9% | 8.4% | worse |
| No reliable transportation | 13.6% | 12.3–15% | 7.8% | worse |
| Receive SNAP | 26.2% | 24.1–28.4% | 11.8% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33.6% | 30.9–36.4% | 26.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 16.8% | 15.3–18.3% | 12.4% | |
| Thinking or memory | 16.4% | 14.9–17.9% | 12.2% | |
| Hearing | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6% | 5.6% | |
| Vision | 7.1% | 6.6–7.6% | 4.5% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 5.5% | 5.1–5.9% | 3.5% | |
| Errands alone | 10.1% | 9.3–11% | 7% | |
About these numbers
How CDC estimates town health
They're modeled estimatesCDC combines a large national health survey with each area's age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Baltimore door to door.
Close calls stay grayEvery figure has a margin of error. When the Maryland figure falls inside it, we don't call Baltimore better or worse.
CDC's own town estimateCDC publishes Baltimore directly, so these are its own figures.
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Maryland figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau.