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Best Places to Live in Maryland (2026)

Maryland has a cost of living index of 119 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $108,228 and a population of 5,191,468. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Maryland.

111
Cost Index

Honeygo is 11% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $144,156 and a population of 12,022.

$144,156
Median Income
$1,224/mo
Median Rent
$463,500
Home Value
59.1°F
Avg Temp
98
Cost Index

Arbutus is 2% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $97,215 and a population of 20,869.

$97,215
Median Income
$1,238/mo
Median Rent
$296,800
Home Value
59.1°F
Avg Temp
130
Cost Index

Damascus is 30% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $153,994 and a population of 16,864.

$153,994
Median Income
$1,665/mo
Median Rent
$496,500
Home Value
55.7°F
Avg Temp
11 Overlea
96
Cost Index

Overlea is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $86,296 and a population of 12,430.

$86,296
Median Income
$1,315/mo
Median Rent
$249,500
Home Value
59.1°F
Avg Temp
100
Cost Index

Rosedale is 0% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $83,957 and a population of 20,845.

$83,957
Median Income
$1,392/mo
Median Rent
$264,900
Home Value
59.1°F
Avg Temp
15 Clinton
122
Cost Index

Clinton is 22% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $120,967 and a population of 38,756.

$120,967
Median Income
$1,665/mo
Median Rent
$400,300
Home Value
59.3°F
Avg Temp

How We Rank the Best Places to Live

Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).

Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.