Maryland
Maryland ranks #18 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 67.4/100 and a B+ grade. Its strongest category is Health (86/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (12/100).
How Does Maryland Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Maryland
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | Rockville | A+ | 65.0 | 67,298 | $122,294 | 149.9 | — |
| 146 | Bethesda | A | 61.8 | 69,966 | $191,198 | — | — |
| 154 | Bowie | A | 61.6 | 57,771 | $141,831 | 169.4 | — |
| 170 | Gaithersburg | A | 61.1 | 69,572 | $100,387 | 238.8 | — |
| 194 | Potomac | A | 60.4 | 46,230 | $239,205 | — | — |
| 206 | Ellicott City | B+ | 60.0 | 74,574 | $148,677 | — | — |
| 227 | North Bethesda | B+ | 59.4 | 49,498 | $128,970 | — | — |
| 238 | Frederick | B+ | 59.1 | 85,803 | $96,084 | 385 | — |
| 244 | Columbia | B+ | 59.0 | 101,379 | $115,564 | — | 102.7 |
| 327 | Germantown | B+ | 57.1 | 96,698 | $101,446 | — | 95.1 |
| 395 | Severn | B | 55.4 | 58,041 | $130,627 | — | — |
| 409 | Towson | B | 55.1 | 57,683 | $100,481 | — | 102.7 |
| 418 | Silver Spring | B | 54.9 | 84,996 | $100,116 | — | — |
| 426 | Bel Air South | B | 54.7 | 57,702 | $120,721 | — | — |
| 444 | Aspen Hill | B | 54.2 | 53,752 | $109,026 | — | — |
| 481 | Wheaton | B | 53.4 | 52,172 | $107,349 | — | — |
| 694 | Glen Burnie | C | 48.5 | 79,598 | $77,549 | — | — |
| 708 | Waldorf | C | 48.2 | 82,770 | $96,304 | — | — |
| 748 | Baltimore | C | 46.9 | 565,239 | $59,579 | — | 102.7 |
| 819 | Dundalk | D | 44.7 | 65,441 | $62,349 | — | — |
Best Cities in Maryland for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockville | 64.2 | 70.8 | 87.9 | 43.1 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | 62.4 | 74.0 | 80.8 | 50.3 |
| 3 | Frederick | 58.6 | 66.7 | 69.1 | 56.5 |
| 4 | Bowie | 58.4 | 54.2 | 85.7 | 49.8 |
| 5 | Columbia | 57.9 | 78.7 | 51.3 | 56.0 |
More Northeast States
Maryland Rankings Overview
Maryland earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 67.4 out of 100, ranking #18 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Health (86/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (12/100).
Economy & Employment in Maryland
With an unemployment rate of 2.9% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Maryland performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $98,461, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Maryland
Maryland's violent crime rate of 415 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Maryland
Maryland ranks #8 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #17 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Maryland is 78 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Maryland
Maryland's total tax burden is 10.04% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 8.95%. The effective property tax rate is 1.02% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6%.
Housing & Affordability in Maryland
The median home price in Maryland is $415,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 104 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
Environment in Maryland
Maryland has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 12% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 0 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Maryland
Maryland's population growth rate is +0.7% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -3 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 97.2% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Maryland
The top-ranked cities in Maryland based on our composite scoring are Rockville, Bethesda, and Bowie. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maryland's overall ranking?
Maryland ranks #18 out of 50 states with a composite score of 67.4/100 and a grade of B+.
Is Maryland a good place to live?
Maryland ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 67.4/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Maryland?
The violent crime rate in Maryland is 415 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Maryland's economy compare?
Maryland's median household income is $98,461 with an unemployment rate of 2.9%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Maryland?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Maryland are Rockville, Bethesda, and Bowie.
How does Maryland rank for families?
Maryland ranks #23 of 50 states for families with a score of 66.9/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Maryland rank for retirees?
Maryland ranks #20 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 65.7/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Maryland rank for remote workers?
Maryland ranks #27 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 55.2/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.