Best Cities for Families in Maryland
Maryland ranks #38 of 50 for families, with a families score of 56.3. Gaithersburg is its best city for families at 70.3.
- Maryland, all states
- #38 of 50
- Population
- 69,825
What Families Should Know About Maryland
Maryland ranks #38 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in economy (65/100) — but Maryland's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and livability.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Maryland shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 86.3%, roughly in line with national norms. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 56/100) mask significant local variation. At $20,124 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Maryland sits near the 50-state average for violent crime at 358 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 105) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Gaithersburg | A+ | 70.3 | 68.2 | 74 | 86 | 47 | 69,825 |
| 2Rockville | A+ | 70.2 | 71.4 | 69 | 91 | 36 | 67,671 |
| 3Ellicott City | A+ | 70.0 | 74.3 | 74 | — | 42 | 75,257 |
| 4Columbia | A+ | 69.5 | 71.5 | 79 | — | 49 | 104,338 |
| 5Bethesda | A+ | 68.7 | 76.7 | 66 | — | 25 | 69,397 |
| 6Germantown | A+ | 67.5 | 67.5 | 72 | — | 50 | 90,719 |
| 7Potomac | A+ | 65.8 | 72.9 | 67 | — | 20 | 45,902 |
| 8North Bethesda | A+ | 65.3 | 72.1 | — | — | 35 | 49,677 |
| 9Frederick | A | 65.0 | 63.5 | 69 | 71 | 54 | 83,395 |
| 10Bel Air South | A | 64.4 | 64.9 | — | — | 57 | 58,137 |
| 11Severn | A | 63.7 | 66.0 | 70 | — | 49 | 58,402 |
| 12Bowie | A | 63.4 | 64.8 | 54 | 80 | 45 | 57,926 |
| 13Aspen Hill | B+ | 63.4 | 62.8 | — | — | 45 | 53,279 |
| 14Silver Spring | A | 63.3 | 63.2 | 72 | — | 42 | 81,462 |
| 15Towson | B+ | 63.2 | 61.8 | 65 | — | 54 | 58,679 |
| 16Wheaton | A | 63.0 | 63.0 | — | — | 45 | 52,926 |
| 17Glen Burnie | B | 61.8 | 56.6 | 71 | — | 61 | 72,590 |
| 18Waldorf | B | 59.8 | 56.7 | 70 | — | 51 | 82,943 |
| 19Dundalk | D | 56.7 | 45.5 | — | — | 68 | 65,969 |
| 20Baltimore | D | 53.3 | 48.0 | 68 | 15 | 69 | 573,243 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Maryland for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maryland a good state for families?
Maryland ranks #38 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 56.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Economy (65/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (12/100).
What is the best city for families in Maryland?
Gaithersburg ranks #1 in Maryland for families with a score of 70.3/100, followed by Rockville and Ellicott City.
What factors are most important for families in Maryland?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.