Comparison · Baltimore vs Pittsburgh · United States
Baltimore vs Pittsburgh
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Baltimore for Inner Harbor and Blue crabs; choose Pittsburgh for Three rivers and Inclines. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 316 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 316 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Baltimore
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Pittsburgh
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Baltimore | Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Inner Harbor, Blue crabs and Old Bay | Three rivers, Inclines and Bridges |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$320 | $190–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 2°C (36°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BWI | PIT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Baltimore for…
Inner Harbor and Blue crabs. Baltimore grew as a port on the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, and its waterfront still shapes a visit: the National Aquarium and historic warships at the Inner Harbor, the cobbled streets of Fells Point and the star-shaped Fort McHenry, whose…
Choose Pittsburgh for…
Three rivers and Inclines. Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio, in a landscape of steep hills, hundreds of bridges and neighbourhoods divided by ravines. The fortunes of Carnegie, Frick, Mellon and Heinz paid for an outsized cultural legacy…
Top sights compared
| # | Baltimore | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Aquarium | Duquesne Incline |
| 2 | Historic Ships in Baltimore | Grandview Avenue overlooks |
| 3 | Fort McHenry National Monument | Andy Warhol Museum |
| 4 | American Visionary Art Museum | Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art |
| 5 | Federal Hill Park | Cathedral of Learning |
Food compared
| Baltimore | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| Steamed blue crabs | Primanti Bros. sandwich |
| Crab cakes | Pierogies |
| Maryland crab soup and cream of crab | Pittsburgh salad |
| Pit beef | Chipped chopped ham |
Which is cheaper?
Baltimore and Pittsburgh cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$320 in Baltimore and $190–$300 in Pittsburgh (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pittsburgh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are about 316 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Baltimore and 3 in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Baltimore or Pittsburgh cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$320 in Baltimore and $190–$300 in Pittsburgh (estimates).
+Is Baltimore or Pittsburgh better for a first trip?
Pick Baltimore for Inner Harbor and Blue crabs, or Pittsburgh for Three rivers and Inclines.
+How far is Baltimore from Pittsburgh?
About 316 km in a straight line.