Maryland
Among the top 12% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 14% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 6% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 57% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 65% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 88% of US states
- top 4% for airport distance
- top 10% for broadband access
- bottom 2% for commute time
Maryland is a U.S. state with about 6,162,000 residents. It grades A for lifestyle & connectivity and F for weather. Standout strengths include airport distance, broadband access, and amenities nearby. It rates lower on monthly rent and commute time.
Official websitemaryland.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Maryland is $392k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Maryland is $102k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Maryland is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Maryland has a violent crime rate of 1341/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Maryland is 32 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$102k98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$62kbetter than 12% of US states
Home Value$392k80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 8% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$151kbetter than 22% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.06%better than 37% of US states
Income Tax8.85%better than 14% of US states
Sales Tax6.00%better than 74% of US states
Estimated total tax burden14.82%better than 14% of US states
Unemployment5.1%better than 53% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)35°F59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation46.8 in65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall21.0 inbetter than 51% of US states
Sunny Days194 daysbetter than 12% of US states
Summer Humidity66°Fbetter than 37% of US states
Comfortable Days78 daysbetter than 36% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk80.8better than 49% of US states
Air Quality43 AQIbetter than 68% of US states
School Quality76.2better than 72% of US states
Violent Crime1341/100kbetter than 38% of US states
Property Crime1715/100kbetter than 54% of US states
Community
Population6,161,70767th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.355th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5484th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9510th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+362nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)48.5%14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)29.5%92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)10.9%55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)6.4%84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.7%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time32 minbetter than 2% of US states
Walkability10.3/20better than 75% of US states
Airport Distance23 mibetter than 96% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access90.8%better than 90% of US states
Amenities Nearby6.03better than 82% of US states
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 31% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Maryland an affordable place to live?
- Maryland is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $62k, better than 12% of comparable areas. Median rent is $2k.
- Is Maryland safe?
- Maryland is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1341/100k (better than 38%). Property crime is 1715/100k.
- What is the weather like in Maryland?
- Maryland averages 79°F in July and 35°F in January, with 46.8 in of annual precipitation and about 194 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Maryland?
- Public-school quality in Maryland is above average, scoring better than 72% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Maryland?
- The average one-way commute in Maryland is 32 min.