Overview
- The Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative surveyed more than 1,200 residents of Baltimore City and County in late 2025, reporting a 3.9% margin of error.
- Between 30% and 40% said they had difficulty paying for medical care, utilities, food, housing, or transportation in the past year.
- Nearly 70% are concerned about affording medical care in the coming year, and about 60% worry about utility, food, and housing costs, with roughly half concerned about transportation.
- About 35% reported difficulty paying medical expenses last year, with roughly half of residents earning under $70,000 struggling, indicating disproportionate strain on lower-income households and families with children.
- Roughly two in five residents experienced food insecurity, including about half of city residents and a quarter of county residents, while more than one-third made at least one late utility payment as winter gas-rate hikes and a cold snap heightened concerns.