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.
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Best Places to Live in Maryland in 2025
Here’s our ranking of the top cities to live in Maryland. We’ve evaluated each city based on livability, affordability, and housing trends.
| City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ellicot City | 73,589 | $525,430 | $11,345 | 2.6% | 85/100 |
| 2. Columbia | 70,750 | $470,000 | $9,095 | 2.6% | 85/100 |
| 3. Catonsville | 42,767 | $435,000 | $8,530 | 3.3% | 72/100 |
| 4. Annapolis | 40,719 | $450,000 | $9,878 | 2.8% | 68/100 |
| 5. Baltimore | 38,992 | $200,000 | $9,095 | 1.8% | 70/100 |
| 6. Bethesda | 66,316 | $1,080,000 | $11,046 | 2.9% | 87/100 |
| 7. Rockville | 67,142 | $560,000 | $11,046 | 2.9% | 87/100 |
Best Places to Live in Maryland
Here’s our list of the top cities to live in the Old Line State:
1. Ellicott City
| 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.
2. Columbia
| 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.
3. Catonsville
| 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.
4. Annapolis
| 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.
5. Baltimore
| 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.
6. Bethesda
| 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.
7. Rockville
| 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.
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.
Whether you’re drawn to the historic charm of Baltimore or the upscale suburbs of Bethesda, Maryland offers diverse lifestyles. Explore listings, compare prices, and make offers online with just a few clicks on Houzeo, Maryland’s best home buying website.
Research Methodology
This study ranks cities using a weighted average scoring model based on eight parameters. We’ve linked the resources used in our study of the best places to live in Maryland:
- Redfin[1]: Median House Price
- Zipatlas[2]: Median Income, Unemployment Rate
- Salary[3]: Cost of Living
- Areavibes[4]: Livability Score
- Neighborhoodscout[5]: Crime Index Score
- Bestplaces[6]: Average Commute
- Walkscore[7]: Walkability Score
- Statisticalatlas[8]: Major Employers
- Zillow[9]: Average Rent
The total score for each city combines a weighted score for its rank. Here’s the weightage: median house price (1.25), median income (1.25), unemployment rate (1.00), cost of living (1.00), livability score (0.50).
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Maryland for varying demographics. These include the best places to live in Maryland for families, young adults, and retirees.
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