Why Baltimore

Baltimore is centrally located in the Mid-Atlantic region with easy access by highways, port, rail and air travel. Baltimore City and its immediate surrounding area are home to 2.8 million people. Among major U.S. metros, Baltimore ranks 12th in downtown population and 13th in downtown employment.

Baltimore has a highly educated and diverse workforce supported by world-class academic institutions.

The city’s 10 universities and more than 100,000 students makes Baltimore the 8th most educated metro region in the United States. Forty-four percent of our residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher – 11 percent higher than the nation’s average.

More than 60 federal agencies and research labs are within 30 miles, bringing substantial federal spending and jobs to the city.

Johns Hopkins Hospital and University is the largest recipient of federal research dollars nationally. The city has two state-of-the-art biotechnology parks, and numerous other business and industrial parks. Some of Baltimore’s thriving industries include life sciences, technology, hospitality and tourism, logistics, creative industries, and social innovation.

Baltimore is a waterfront city, rich in culture and history.

It is also highly affordable with lower cost of living than Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, and New York City.  With entertaining nightlife, vibrant restaurants, world-class theaters, iconic stadiums, and professional sports teams, there is no shortage of activities for people of all ages.  

The Baltimore Economic Dashboard provides key metrics and data for businesses and site selectors to make informed decisions about locating or investing in Baltimore City.