BALTIMORE, MD—A new study by Rocket Moving examined all 50 states and their cities, using seven key factors to identify why residents should consider moving out. Baltimore was ranked among the top ten cities people should consider leaving, coming in at No. 9.

The analysis considered annual personal income, crime rates, air quality, unemployment, population change, cost of living, and Google searches for “moving out.” Each factor was weighted based on its perceived impact, with crime rates and population change given the highest importance. The composite score for each city was calculated by multiplying the standardized values by their respective weights and scaling them from 0 to 100 using Min-Max scaling. The final rankings reveal the cities where residents are most likely to consider leaving based on financial, social, environmental, and public sentiment factors.

Camden, New Jersey, tops the ranking with the highest crime level at 87.5 and the second-highest unemployment rate as of July at 4.7%.  Cleveland, Ohio, had the most population decrease from 2020 to 2024, reaching 10,199.  Springfield, Massachusetts, has the highest cost of living index at 148.4.

Baltimore, Maryland, ranks ninth with a score of 92.1. Baltimore has the second-highest crime level at 86.84 and a moderately low unemployment rate of 2.8%, the lowest among the cities analyzed. Despite the relatively stable job market, the city has experienced a population decline of 6,659, reflecting continued concerns about crime and quality of life.

“High crime rates and unemployment offer obvious reasons for moving to some areas, but factors like community ties or affordable housing may keep people in place,” said Rocket Moving. “Cities facing sharp population declines could benefit from targeted policies or investments to enhance economic opportunities or revitalize urban spaces. Meanwhile, places with high living costs might explore strategies to balance affordability with quality of life to retain their populations. These insights point to the need for tailored approaches that address the factors pushing people to leave and those encouraging them to stay, ultimately creating more resilient urban environments.”