Known as the Charm City, Baltimore offers residents a chance to explore a city rooted in deep history with modern evolutions. Whether you’re looking for a walkable city with ample job opportunities or want to be near your favorite sports teams, Baltimore is a city brimming with culture and variety.
The five most affordable neighborhoods in Baltimore, MD are:
Irvington
Average One Bedroom Rent in Baltimore: $1,498
Average One Bedroom Rent in Irvington: $1,063
Established in 1874, Irvington is a suburb with rich history and a small-town community feel. With its proximity to downtown Baltimore and local businesses and shops, Irvington offers residents the perfect mix of urban and rural living.
Things to do in Irvington
The main street in Irvington is Fredrick Avenue. Along this road, residents can find shopping in pharmacies, markets, and gas stations, along with local cuisine. Sugar Mama’s is a community staple restaurant and serves an array of food options ranging from breakfast and French toast platters to lunch with cheesesteaks and French fries. Locals choose between takeout options like the China House or Pizza Hub, but if you want to try something new, Bevy’s Island Taste offers Caribbean food.
With playgrounds and baseball, soccer, and football fields, Irvington Park offers some fun physical activity for everyone! A stream called Maidens Choice Run flows in and around the neighborhood. Near this stream, trails and open green spaces are the perfect place to go for an afternoon stroll or a quick jog, streamside.
Transportation in and around Irvington
Irvington lies exactly four miles away from downtown Baltimore, making travel in and out of the city a breeze. Residents live right beside U.S. Routes 1 and 40, allowing easy transportation. Local transit is offered through the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), offering travel around the Baltimore metro area.
Arbutus
Average One Bedroom Rent in Baltimore: $1,498
Average One Bedroom Rent in Arbutus: $1,238
Known for being a two-light town, Arbutus is a quiet neighborhood with local hidden gems. With no shortage of community events, outdoor activities, and local shops and restaurants, Arbutus is the perfect, affordable place to put down roots near Baltimore.
Things to do in Arbutus
Arbutus is home to the second-largest state park in Maryland called Patapsco Valley State Park. This park offers residents 32 miles of hiking trails to explore, multiple designated campsites to become one with nature, and fishing in the Patapsco River, all located south of Arbutus. If you don’t want something so large scale, there are multiple smaller parks located through the community with playgrounds, trails, and many more activities for residents to enjoy.
Locally owned restaurants and shops can be found at the intersection of East Drive and Spring Road, the area’s Main Street. Local favorites include Sorrento of Arbutus, known for its pizza, and Our Recipes Café, which prides itself on breakfast grits and strong espresso.
Although Arbutus is a small town, community events are big and bold. The Fourth of July is an annual celebration that the whole town looks forward to. Hosting an Independence Day Parade is only part of the fun, as families and residents must claim their spot for the firework show days in advance. Arbutus locals make it their mission to make holidays feel special for everyone.
Transportation in and around Arbutus
Arbutus is located only around 15 minutes outside of downtown Baltimore. With easy neighborhood access to Interstate 695 and U.S. Highway 1, travelling in and out of Baltimore is seamless. Public transit is available through the MTA, hosting several stops in and around the Arbutus community.
Lansdowne
Average One Bedroom Rent in Baltimore- $1,498
Average One Bedroom Rent in Lansdowne- $1,298
Lansdowne is a suburban haven located only eight miles southwest of downtown Baltimore. This community is known for its quiet atmosphere and easy accessibility to major areas. Lansdowne is the perfect place to live an affordable, quiet lifestyle near Baltimore.
Things to do in Lansdowne
Lansdowne is home to large parks that offer residents easy access to outdoor fun. Patapsco State Park is home to the Patapsco River where locals walk the trails and riverfronts and host picnics in the various green spaces with friends and family. Lansdowne Park has a large grassy field where kids and adults alike can take their pick in whatever activity they choose. Hillcrest Park has a playground and small pond, while Willow Grove Park has basketball courts galore. There is no shortage of outside activity in Lansdowne!
Although Lansdowne doesn’t have a large selection of local restaurants and shops, there are two favorites that residents and tourists must try if they find themselves in this quaint community. Lansdowne Inn and Just One More bar and grill are the places to hang out with friends and enjoy good company any day of the week. Shopping is mostly done on Washington Boulevard and houses big brand stores, like Walmart, for groceries. If you are really looking for local cuisine, Annapolis Road is home to pubs and local takeout restaurants, the favorites being Shannon’s Pub & Grille and John’s Italian Deli.
Transportation in and around Lansdowne
Lansdowne is conveniently located near Interstate 95 and Route 295, the two main ways to travel into downtown Baltimore. Residents also enjoy easy access to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which flies both domestic and internationally. Lansdowne also offers public transportation through the MTA system, specifically the CityLink YELLOW bus, and provides access to nearby cities and destinations.
Overlea
Average One Bedroom Rent in Baltimore- $1,498
Average One Bedroom Rent in Overlea- $1,315
Conveniently located between Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Overlea offers renters the best of both worlds. Residents pride themselves on their annual neighborhood events and community atmosphere. If you’re looking for a mix of the rural and city life in Baltimore, Overlea would be perfect for you.
Things to do in Overlea
Belair Road is a hot spot for local restaurants and shops. Stop by Overlea Diner for all-day breakfast, then head to Killa Dogz for one of their locally acclaimed hot dogs. You can end your big day of discovering the city of Overlea with drinks at the Coach House Inn. Putty Hill Plaza and Fullerton Plaza, located across Interstate 695, are where you can find shopping and grocery stores.
Overlea is home to six different parks, each one being loved for different reasons. Linover Park has 20 acres of land to explore, along with the Stemmers Run stream running through the heart of the area. If you thought that was impressive, Double Rock Park covers 100 acres and has hiking trails, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, and pavilions. Fullerton Park and Cherry Heights Woodland Garden Park are more relaxed spots perfect for an afternoon stroll or a quick pick-up game of football.
The Overlea Community Association hosts community events throughout the year. ArtsFest, the Holiday Tree Lighting, and the Farmer’s Market are a few of the favorite local events hosted by the association. The Natural History Society of Maryland offers events ranging from astronomy courses to immersive outdoor field trips with Maryland nature experts. The Holt Park and Center for the Arts has an art gallery for residents to enjoy local art. The Center also hosts Paint Nights and “Crafternoons” where residents can work on new and old arts projects. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this bustling community.
Transportation in and around Overlea
Sitting north of the neighborhood is Interstate 695, offering residents easy access to the entirety of Baltimore. Public transportation can be found on Belair Road through the MTA bus system, specifically the CityLink BROWN line. Lines 33, 36, and 115 offer access to Fleetwood Avenue and Fullerton Avenue.
Edgewood
Average One Bedroom Rent in Baltimore- $1,498
Average One Bedroom Rent in Edgewood- $1,435
Edgewood lies on the outskirts of Baltimore and attracts nature lovers and industrial workers alike. Waterfront properties are abundant in this community and offer residents a chance to live both a rural and urban lifestyle.
Things to do in Edgewood
U.S. Route 40 is where residents do their daily shopping and dining. Big box stores like Target and Walmart can be found along this road, along with several national fast-food chains. Local favorite restaurants include Island Spice, a tropical-themed restaurant that serves Jamaican jerk chicken, and Venetian Italian Eatery, which transforms from a breakfast diner in the morning to serving Italian classic food and drinks late through the evening.
Nature lovers have no shortage of places to explore in Edgewood. The Bosely Conservatory is a part of Edgewood’s Otter Point Creek nature reserve and is home to hiking trails. Chesapeake Bay, on the other side of the creek, is where residents can learn more about the history of the U.S. Gunpowder Falls State Park offers extensive hiking trails in addition to the beach and marina, where people like to kayak and canoe. Exton Golf Course is a 9-hole course only open during the spring and summer months.
Transportation in and around Edgewood
Edgewood residents enjoy easy access to Pulaski Highway and Interstate 95. The city is also home to its very own MARC/Amtrak train station where residents can access Towson, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. The Hartford Transit bus system is another public transit option, with stops located throughout the city.
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