Americans love Maryland! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to sunny weather, the Old Line State has got it all.
The median home value for Maryland is $400,400. The state scores 81/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Bethesda and Baltimore are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Let’s explore the best places to live in Maryland.
3 Reasons to Live in Maryland 🦀
- Excellent Job Opportunities: Maryland plans to add more than 300,000 jobs across various sectors till 2030.
- Easy Acess to Major Cities: Maryland is in close proximity to large cities like Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, etc.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in Maryland is 10% cheaper than the national average.
Best Places to Live in Maryland in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Columbia | 70,750 | $470,000 | $9,095 | 2.6% | 85/100 |
| 2. | Baltimore | 38,992 | $200,000 | $9,095 | 1.8% | 70/100 |
| 3. | Annapolis | 40,719 | $450,000 | $9,878 | 2.8% | 68/100 |
| 4. | Rockville | 67,142 | $560,000 | $11,046 | 2.9% | 87/100 |
| 5. | Bethesda | 66,316 | $1,080,000 | $11,046 | 2.9% | 87/100 |
| 6. | Catonsville | 42,767 | $435,000 | $8,530 | 3.3% | 72/100 |
| 7. | Ellicot City | 73,589 | $525,430 | $11,345 | 2.6% | 85/100 |
1. Columbia: Best Place to Live Maryland for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.7% |
| Median Income | $124,537 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,095 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 85/100 |
Located near Baltimore and the state capital Annapolis, Columbia is among the best places to live in MD. The median home price is 17% higher than the rest of the country and the cost of living is 3% more than the national average.
The city offers a lot of leisurely activities like visiting the National Aquarium, the Historic Shrine, and exploring the Inner Harbor. Besides that, Columbia’s economy has shown a growth of 17% in the past decade. W.R. Grace and Company, Maxim Healthcare Services are among the top employers in the city.
» Homes For Sale in Columbia, MD: Find your home in the Next America.
2. Baltimore: Best City to Live in Maryland for an Urban Lifestyle
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.1% |
| Median Income | $58,349 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,095 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 70/100 |
Baltimore boasts a rich history. The 18th-century architecture gives an archaic touch to the city. The median home price is 50% less than the national average, making it one of the cheapest places to live in Maryland. The cost of living is 7.4% less than the national average.
Apart from the Walters Art Museum, the city offers a great urban lifestyle experience. Home to Johns Hopkins University offering top-notch education, it produces some of the finest talent in the country. Public health studies, biomedical engineering, and international studies are some popular majors at the university.
» Homes For Sale in Baltimore, MD: View thousands of property listings in the Charm City.
3. Annapolis: Best City in Maryland for Families
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.2% |
| Median Income | $97,219 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,878 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 68/100 |
Located in the front of the serene Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is among the best Maryland cities. The median home price is 12% above the national average and the cost of living is 3% more than the rest of the country. Famous for its world-class seafood, the city has bagged the nickname Crabtown.
The city offers a lot of picturesque spots showcasing the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Apart from this, the city is also big on family-friendly festivals like the Annapolis Sailboat Show, the Irish Festival, and the Film Festival.
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4. Rockville: Best Place to Live in Maryland for High-Income Individuals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.8% |
| Median Income | $122,470 |
| Monthly Expenses | $11,046 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 87/100 |
Rockville is famous for its craft breweries that are spread across the city. The median home price is on a steeper side, 39% higher than the rest of the country and the cost of living is 36% higher than the national average, which is fairly high.
The city offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities such as parks, cycling trails, etc. Moreover, enthusiasts can enjoy golf sessions at various golf courses across the city such as Woodmont Country Club.
Apart from this, some of the major employers in Rockville are Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Human Genome Sciences, and Aeras across industries like biotech and life sciences.
» Homes For Sale in Rockville, MD: Live in one of the best areas to live in Maryland.
5. Bethesda: Best Place in Maryland for a Luxurious Lifestyle
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.0% |
| Median Income | $185,546 |
| Monthly Expenses | $11,046 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 87/100 |
Bethesda offers a lively environment with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, etc. The median home price is more than double of the national average and the cost of living is 14% higher than the national average.
Since it is located at a half-hour drive from Washington D.C., the cost of living is a bit higher. Apart from that, the city is home to Walker & Dunlop, a Fortune 500 company. In addition, finance, software, healthcare, etc. are among the growing industries.
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6. Catonsville: Best Neighborhood in Maryland for Sport-Lovers
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.6% |
| Median Income | $103,448 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,530 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 72/100 |
Situated in the suburbs of Baltimore, the city of Catonsville houses the University of Maryland. Being a college town the city reflects a young vibe. The median home price is 7% more than the national average and the cost of living is the same as the state average.
Catonsville offers plenty of sporting opportunities like football, swimming, etc. to enthusiasts. Apart from this, Erickson Senior Living, Eagles Trace, and First Team Staffing are some of the major employers across industries like healthcare and staffing solutions.
» Homes For Sale in Catonsville, MD: Make yourself a part of this college town.
7. Ellicott City: Best Place for Outdoor Activities
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.2% |
| Median Income | $149,534 |
| Monthly Expenses | $11,345 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 85/100 |
Located in the valleys of the Tiber River and the Patapsco River, Ellicott City offers plenty of outdoor activities. The median home price is $525,430 and the cost of living is just 3% more than the national average.
The city offers easy access to the east and the west coast and is just 10 minutes from the Baltimore airport. Apart from this, MTA, DCCA, Fieldstone Mortgage Company are some of the major employers across industries like manufacturing and finance.
» Homes For Sale in Ellicott City, MD: View thousands of listings in the Little Sneedville.
Bottom Line
Maryland is one of the best places to live in the US due to its strong economy and large job market. Other factors that contribute are urban sophistication and coastal convenience.
Little America has a high cost of living 22% more than the national average. However, the healthcare is 10% more affordable than the national average. Home prices are irregular across the state.
In some cities, home prices are as low as $140K, and go up to millions. So, before you move to Maryland, it’s better to do some research. You can search for houses online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Maryland’s most accurate home value estimator.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places to live in Maryland. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Maryland and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Maryland Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Maryland State Archives[7]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[8]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Maryland for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to live in Maryland for families in 2024?
What is the best city to live in Maryland?
Baltimore is ranked as the best city to live in Maryland due to its affordability.
What is the cheapest place to live in Maryland?
Cumberland is the cheapest place to live in Maryland.
