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With a population of 680,000 (2.5 million in the greater metro area), Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland. The city is also a major industrial, research and educational center, housing many institutions of higher learning, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland at Baltimore and several others. Baltimore also includes one of the nation's largest ports, although its current economy focuses more on research and development.

Quality of Life
For such a small city (Baltimore is only 81 square miles), there is a lot to do here. Shop, eat and take in the sites of the Inner Harbor, where you'll find the spectacular National Aquarium and the very cool Maryland Science Center. Soak up the natural beauty of Druid Hill Park, site of the city zoo and conservatory. If you're a history buff, you'll appreciate visits to Edgar Allan Poe's home and grave, the birthplace of Babe Ruth and the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the country's first Roman Catholic cathedral. Into sports? Catch the Orioles baseball team at Camden Yards and the Ravens football team at Ravens Stadium. Baltimore has a fairly moderate climate. July is the warmest month with highs reaching into the 80s and 90s, and January is the coldest part of the year, with average lows in the 20s. There's plenty of rain throughout the year and an average snowfall of 20 inches.

Where the Jobs Are
Baltimore has always been a port city, and that remains true today. The harbor, in conjunction with the city's rail, road and air connections, has made it a major hub for industry, manufacturing and trade. A lot of the city's new jobs are in research and development, particularly in the industries of aquaculture, pharmaceuticals and other medical services. Dozens of research laboratories, along with two highly acclaimed medical institutions (Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Hospital), employ numerous people in science and healthcare professions.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
Baltimore's overall cost of living is 3% above the national average, but luckily for residents, average incomes are higher than average too. In fact, the median household income is $47,000 per year. There is a wide variety of apartments for rent available in the city, with a median rent of $650 per month. Depending on the neighborhood, small apartment rentals start in the $500-600 range, and you can easily spend $2,000 or more in monthly rent for a luxurious townhouse or swanky apartments with a view.

Neighborhoods to Explore
Baltimore has been called a "City of Neighborhoods," and in fact there are more than 200 distinct neighborhoods in which to explore apartments for rent. In recent decades, the city's population has dropped due to residents moving to the suburbs. In response, the city has instituted several redevelopment projects to revitalize areas such as the Inner Harbor, which has experienced a successful renaissance and is now a popular area of shops and restaurants. When looking for apartments rentals, consider some of these up-and-coming areas and you may find some bargains. If luxury apartments are your aim, try the historic Federal Hill and Bolton Hill neighborhoods.