Honeygo is 11% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $144,156 and a population of 12,022.
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.
Bel Air North is 21% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $137,995 and a population of 31,599.
Arbutus is 2% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $97,215 and a population of 20,869.
Eldersburg is 26% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $146,598 and a population of 30,626.
Edgewood is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $86,355 and a population of 25,170.
Bel Air South is 18% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $120,721 and a population of 57,702.
Havre de Grace is 5% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $106,798 and a population of 14,857.
Brandywine is 23% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $158,258 and a population of 10,989.
Joppatowne is 10% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $109,589 and a population of 13,397.
Damascus is 30% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $153,994 and a population of 16,864.
Overlea is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $86,296 and a population of 12,430.
Rosedale is 0% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $83,957 and a population of 20,845.
Perry Hall is 12% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $104,709 and a population of 28,908.
Baltimore is 7% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $59,623 and a population of 577,193.
Clinton is 22% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $120,967 and a population of 38,756.
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.