This historic city is known for its beautiful rowhomes and unique architectural quirks like the Formstone facades that still front many buildings. With so many great areas to choose from, it’s hard to pick 15, but here are the best neighborhoods in Baltimore.
1. Charles Village
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,452
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,800
- Walk Score: 93/100
“Quirky, eclectic and diverse” are among the common terms you’ll hear describing Charles Village, located by the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus.
If you want urban plus bohemian, with a bit of a college town feel, you might like Charles Village. The area is usually one of the top five on lists of the best Baltimore neighborhoods. It’s not just the hipster vibe but the walkable neighborhood filled with gorgeous Victorian homes and “painted ladies.”
Things to do in Charles Village include the 32nd Street Farmers Market and “Book Thing,” a monthly giveaway of free books. Currently, they have so many books they’re asking people not to donate more just yet.
2. Federal Hill/Sharp-Leadenhall
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,645
- Walk Score: 97/100
Federal Hill and Sharp-Leadenhall is in the southern part of Baltimore north of Riverside, with Sharp Leaden-Hall to the west of South Hanover Street and Federal Hill on the eastern side.
The cannons in Federal Hill mark its history as a strategic defensive location during the War of 1812. Today, this popular neighborhood in South Baltimore is much more peaceful and community-oriented. The area boasts of many of the distinctive and historic brick rowhomes from the 19th century that set Baltimore apart from newer cities.
The up-and-coming Sharp Leaden-Hall neighborhood is a historic African-American community in Baltimore. One of the community pillars is the oldest African-American church still open in Baltimore City, the Leadenhall Street Baptist Church built back in 1873. The long-lasting church just had its 150-year celebration in November of 2021.
Federal Hill is also known for the Cross Street Market, which runs from Light Street to Charles Street and is the place to go to get fresh produce, meat, bakery items and flowers. The Inner Harbor is just a short walk away, but you may not need to go because Federal Hill has so many great restaurants and bars itself.
3. Hampden
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,900
- Median 2-BR rent: $3,000
- Walk Score: 88/100
Baltimore would be nothing if it weren’t for its blue-collar roots. Fortunately, you can still find some connection to genuine Bawlmer in Hampden, a former industrial mill area that’s now one of Baltimore’s quirkiest neighborhoods.
Perhaps Hampden’s most famous contribution to local culture is the annual HONfest, a massive party celebrating the 1960s-era, working-class “hons” (“hon” is short for honey). The main drag in Hampden is 36th Street, counteractively called “The Avenue.” With a plethora of art studios, restaurants, row homes and light rail access, Hampden is a fun and exciting place to live.
4. Canton
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,922
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,122
- Walk Score: 90/100
Canton is usually found on the “best of Baltimore neighborhoods” lists, often as No. 1 and for good reason. This southeast Baltimore neighborhood runs along the waterfront and offers a multitude of shopping, delicious food and entertaining nightlife. Yet, this bustling urban neighborhood still manages to maintain a family-friendly vibe despite being trendy.
In days of yore, Canton was an industrial area that turned into blight, but many of the old factories and warehouses have now been converted into apartments, condos, offices and retail space, such as the Can Company development. Historic rowhouses are also available. This mix of industrial and residential architecture gives Canton a unique vibe that’s part of what makes this area special. If you like the outdoors, you’ll also enjoy Patterson Park and Canton Waterfront Park.
5. Riverside
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,705
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,900
- Walk Score: 92/100
Another South Baltimore neighborhood that makes the list is Riverside, which offers many renovated early 1900s-era rowhomes for rent or purchase. The area attracts young professionals but also has long-time homeowners, who enjoy the mix of retail, restaurants and parks the neighborhood has to offer.
Just off the Patapsco River, you’ll enjoy some harbor views, as well as culture and education with many museums nearby, including the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The highly walkable area scores well as a relatively safe area that’s kid-friendly with a close-knit neighborhood feel.
6. Inner Harbor
- Median 1-BR rent: $2,385
- Median 2-BR rent: $5,600
- Walk Score: 83/100
Touristy, yes, but the Inner Harbor is where to live if you want a luxury, high-rise condo with an amazing water view. You’ve also got a lot of options when it comes to fine dining and drinks.
And, if you ever get a hankering for a T-shirt with a Maryland flag and a crab on it — or better yet, a crab decorated in Maryland flag colors — you can always run out and grab one at the many kitschy tourist shops in the area.
7. Mount Vernon
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,657
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,695
- Walk Score: 98/100
You’ll find many cultural treasures in Mount Vernon, which contains more than its fair share of museums, libraries, theaters and performing arts centers. This neighborhood north of downtown is not only popular with students and artists but with families, as well.
The kids will enjoy Mount Vernon Children’s Park and adults will enjoy a fine meal at a five-star restaurant followed by a night out at the opera.
8. Fells Point
- Median 1-BR rent: $2,039
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,451
- Walk Score: 93/100
Fells Point and neighboring Harbor East offer lovely waterfront views, as well as a whole host of bars and shops to enjoy. Fells Point dates back to 1763 and is home to 300 officially designated historic buildings. The oldest house in Baltimore, the Robert Long House, is also here and it’s available for tours.
If you love museums and ships, you have easy access to all the maritime museums and antique ships anchored in the harbor. Little Italy is also nearby if you have a hankering for Italian food.
9. Highlandtown
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,250
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,980
- Walk Score: 93/100
With a history dating back to 1866, Highlandtown has been known as a neighborhood of immigrants both then and now. Originally named “Snake Hill,” this eclectic southeast Baltimore neighborhood attracts a diverse population of people from all backgrounds. Considered an “artsy” neighborhood, it’s also a great place to enjoy food and company, especially with all the delicious ethnic restaurants in the area. You’ll find old-fashioned rowhomes, as well as modern apartment complexes for rent in this popular area.
Highlandtown boasts not only its own “Main Street” but the lively Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District, with public art, music, furniture builders, jewelry makers, art galleries and more.
10. Guilford
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk Score: 87/100
Guilford isn’t as hip and trendy as other neighborhoods in Charm City, but it has a charm all its own. Residents give it high ratings as a quiet and safe neighborhood. This is also a family-friendly neighborhood with sidewalks for the kids to bike on.
With access to restaurants, shops, parks, a pond and nearby college campuses, you won’t get bored in Guilford despite the neighborhood itself being a bit sleepy (in a good way).
11. Tuscany-Canterbury
- Median 1-BR rent: $950
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,445
- Walk Score: 72/100
Named for the street intersection, Tuscany-Canterbury is another amazing historic Baltimore neighborhood. It’s entirely residential so there’s not a café on every corner, but it’s a great choice for those who prefer a quieter, more staid place to live.
You’ll find some fantastic architecture here in Tuscany-Canterbury, including Victorian and Tudor, earning the neighborhood a spot in the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the apartment buildings date back 100 years and include original (or replicated) finishings.
12. Cheswolde
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,166
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,440
- Walk Score: 72/100
Located in northwest Baltimore, Cheswolde is a peaceful suburban-style neighborhood made up primarily of single-family houses. The apartment complexes here are also typically garden-style, which means they’re low-rise buildings with lawns and trees.
With a large Jewish community, Cheswolde is a part of one of Baltimore’s eruvs (or “eruvim” in plural). An eruv is a special zone called a ritual halakhic enclosure where Jews can carry out specific activities, such as transporting items that might otherwise be banned on Shabbat. (In 2020, Baltimore’s first downtown eruv opened.) The Cheswolde neighborhood also resides in the Hatzalah emergency medical services and the Northwest Community Patrol monitors the area.
13. Locust Point
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk Score: 75/100
At one time, Locust Point’s Whetstone Point was the second biggest port of entry behind only Ellis Island. Today, Locust Point has undergone gentrification from its historic roots as a center for Polish, Italian and Irish immigrants.
One former Baltimore city planner called the movement of yuppies into working-class communities the “march of the brass lamps” because the new residents would tend to hang brass lamps on their doorsteps. Thus, you’ll see a lot of upscale buildings in Locust Point, from the Indiana Grain Elevator turned condo to the renovated brick rowhomes adorned in Formstone, the “polyester of brick.” Some people still love their Formstone and since the material is insulating, it’s more sustainable to keep it!
With a fantastic water view and some great local pubs still hanging on, Locust Point is a great place to hang your hat.
14. Westgate
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk Score: 41/100
Another great Baltimore neighborhood located west of the city core is Westgate, officially founded in 1926. This quaint suburban neighborhood contains tree-lined streets with a variety of vintage houses, many from the 1920s and 1930s.
You’ll find cute little cottages and bungalows along with Tudor-style houses, American Foursquares and Dutch Colonials. The local community association is very active and promotes local events, such as a gardener seed swap and a community cleanup on Earth Day.
15. Downtown
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,702
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,150
- Walk Score: 99/100
Baltimore’s Downtown is hectic and it’s not as safe as some outlying neighborhoods. But young professionals love it for all the restaurants and bars and things to do. You can get around on foot or take the bus or light rail.
Downtown West, in particular, gets great reviews as a fun place to live in Baltimore. You’ll also want to check out the Bromo Arts District on the north side of the downtown core. Nearby is the Inner Harbor, where you can enjoy the waterfront view and grab a beer at a local pub (never mind the tourists).
Find the best Baltimore neighborhood for you
With so many diverse and great neighborhoods, Charm City is a great place. When looking for apartments for rent in Baltimore, be sure to visit many of these great neighborhoods to find a place that feels like home. In the least, you’ll get to know this great city and appreciate its unique and wonderful culture.
