Best Cities for Families in Maryland

Maryland lands in the middle of the pack for families at #23 out of 50 states. The state has genuine strengths — health scores excellent at 86/100 — but also areas that may give parents pause. A high school graduation rate of 88% is encouraging, and the median home price of $415,000 may stretch family budgets.

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 88%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 67/100. At $14,124 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.

Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Maryland faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 415 incidents per 100,000 residents. The higher cost of living (index: 104) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.