Best suburbs to live in Maryland selected on home price data for mortgage insights as well as other variables
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Maryland using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#30. Silver Spring, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 545
– Population: 81,808
– Median household income: $95,213
– Median home value: $606,100 (38% own)
– Median rent: $1,826 (62% rent)
– Top public schools: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Montgomery Blair High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)
#29. Timonium, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 544
– Population: 10,793
– Median household income: $130,811
– Median home value: $470,400 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,540 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy’s School (grade A+)
#28. North Laurel, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 543
– Population: 24,414
– Median household income: $115,294
– Median home value: $431,500 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,871 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: Atholton High School (grade A+), Fulton Elementary School (grade A), Reservoir High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Barrie School (grade A+)
#27. Chevy Chase Village, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 523
– Population: 1,885
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $2,000,001 (97% own)
– Median rent: $3,475 (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)
#26. University Park, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 488
– Population: 2,610
– Median household income: $191,205
– Median home value: $586,500 (97% own)
– Median rent: $2,938 (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+), Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC (grade A+)
– Top private schools: St. Anselm’s Abbey School (grade A+), DeMatha Catholic High School (grade A), St. Jerome Institute (grade A)
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#25. Chevy Chase View, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 472
– Population: 1,123
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $1,181,800 (97% own)
– Median rent: $3,250 (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), District of Columbia International School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#24. Martin’s Additions, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 454
– Population: 993
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $1,382,100 (98% own)
– Median rent: $2,625 (2% rent)
– Top public schools: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)
#23. Cabin John, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 434
– Population: 2,196
– Median household income: $208,598
– Median home value: $1,117,300 (97% own)
– Median rent: $2,797 (3% rent)
– Top public schools: Walt Whitman High School (grade A+), BASIS Washington, D.C. Public Charter School (grade A+), Dorothy Hamm Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
#22. Towson, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 423
– Population: 57,617
– Median household income: $98,425
– Median home value: $408,100 (57% own)
– Median rent: $1,695 (43% rent)
– Top public schools: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (grade A), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy’s School (grade A+)
#21. Darnestown, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 405
– Population: 6,672
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $902,500 (94% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Poolesville High School (grade A+), Thomas S. Wootton High School (grade A+), Northwest High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Holton-Arms School (grade A+), Bullis School (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+)
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#20. Kensington, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 345
– Population: 2,241
– Median household income: $143,021
– Median home value: $882,900 (58% own)
– Median rent: $2,118 (42% rent)
– Top public schools: Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), District of Columbia International School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+)
#19. Poolesville, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 343
– Population: 5,686
– Median household income: $215,025
– Median home value: $606,300 (95% own)
– Median rent: $1,786 (5% rent)
– Top public schools: Poolesville High School (grade A+), Poolesville Elementary School (grade A), John H. Poole Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Mary of Nazareth School (grade A+), Butler Montessori (grade A), Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences (grade A minus)
#18. Clarksburg, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 314
– Population: 28,337
– Median household income: $165,551
– Median home value: $604,000 (89% own)
– Median rent: $2,219 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Bayard Rustin Elementary School (grade A), Snowden Farm Elementary School (grade A), Wilson Wims Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Georgetown Preparatory School (grade A+), Rochambeau The French International School (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+)
#17. Takoma Park, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 247
– Population: 17,542
– Median household income: $95,316
– Median home value: $685,000 (51% own)
– Median rent: $1,318 (49% rent)
– Top public schools: Montgomery Blair High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), St. Albans School (grade A+)
#16. Olney, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 231
– Population: 35,522
– Median household income: $166,541
– Median home value: $615,700 (89% own)
– Median rent: $2,231 (11% rent)
– Top public schools: Bayard Rustin Elementary School (grade A), Snowden Farm Elementary School (grade A), Sherwood High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Holton-Arms School (grade A+), Georgetown Preparatory School (grade A+), Rochambeau The French International School (grade A+)
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#15. Ilchester, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 199
– Population: 27,300
– Median household income: $150,417
– Median home value: $482,500 (79% own)
– Median rent: $1,876 (21% rent)
– Top public schools: Rockburn Elementary School (grade A), Ellicott Mills Middle School (grade A), Ilchester Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Timothy’s School (grade A+), Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Spencerville Adventist Academy (grade A)
#14. Scaggsville, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 186
– Population: 10,793
– Median household income: $176,995
– Median home value: $610,000 (93% own)
– Median rent: $3,096 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Atholton High School (grade A+), Pointers Run Elementary School (grade A), Fulton Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (grade A+)
#13. Travilah, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 182
– Population: 10,846
– Median household income: $248,703
– Median home value: $1,196,400 (96% own)
– Median rent: $3,194 (4% rent)
– Top public schools: Winston Churchill High School (grade A+), Thomas S. Wootton High School (grade A+), Northwest High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Holton-Arms School (grade A+), Landon School (grade A+), Georgetown Preparatory School (grade A+)
#12. Lutherville, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 157
– Population: 6,595
– Median household income: $133,865
– Median home value: $401,500 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,394 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy’s School (grade A+)
#11. Columbia, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 140
– Population: 106,600
– Median household income: $124,537
– Median home value: $458,700 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,895 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: River Hill High School (grade A+), Centennial High School (grade A+), Atholton High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: St. Timothy’s School (grade A+), The Park School of Baltimore (grade A+), Glenelg Country School (grade A+)
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#10. Four Corners, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 117
– Population: 7,766
– Median household income: $186,346
– Median home value: $579,700 (88% own)
– Median rent: $2,511 (12% rent)
– Top public schools: Montgomery Blair High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Georgetown Day School (grade A+), Holton-Arms School (grade A+), Landon School (grade A+)
#9. Rockville, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 72
– Population: 67,142
– Median household income: $122,470
– Median home value: $623,800 (55% own)
– Median rent: $2,167 (45% rent)
– Top public schools: Thomas S. Wootton High School (grade A+), Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Richard Montgomery High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), The Madeira School (grade A+)
#8. Chevy Chase, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 65
– Population: 9,789
– Median household income: $217,500
– Median home value: $1,159,700 (75% own)
– Median rent: $2,610 (25% rent)
– Top public schools: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+), National Cathedral School (grade A+)
#7. Potomac, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 59
– Population: 46,499
– Median household income: $218,710
– Median home value: $1,044,900 (85% own)
– Median rent: $2,584 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Walt Whitman High School (grade A+), Winston Churchill High School (grade A+), Thomas S. Wootton High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
#6. Bethesda, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 57
– Population: 66,316
– Median household income: $185,546
– Median home value: $1,088,000 (65% own)
– Median rent: $2,312 (35% rent)
– Top public schools: Walt Whitman High School (grade A+), Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
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#5. Fulton, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 55
– Population: 5,435
– Median household income: $215,455
– Median home value: $732,300 (88% own)
– Median rent: $2,603 (12% rent)
– Top public schools: Atholton High School (grade A+), Pointers Run Elementary School (grade A), Fulton Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (grade A+)
#4. Ellicott City, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 41
– Population: 73,589
– Median household income: $149,534
– Median home value: $617,200 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,921 (28% rent)
– Top public schools: Marriotts Ridge High School (grade A+), Centennial High School (grade A+), Mount Hebron High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: St. Timothy’s School (grade A+), McDonogh School (grade A+), The Park School of Baltimore (grade A+)
#3. South Kensington, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 35
– Population: 8,371
– Median household income: $199,981
– Median home value: $891,200 (87% own)
– Median rent: $2,890 (13% rent)
– Top public schools: Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (grade A+), Washington Latin Public Charter School – Middle School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
#2. North Potomac, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 19
– Population: 24,692
– Median household income: $182,083
– Median home value: $770,000 (83% own)
– Median rent: $2,593 (17% rent)
– Top public schools: Winston Churchill High School (grade A+), Thomas S. Wootton High School (grade A+), Northwest High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Holton-Arms School (grade A+), Landon School (grade A+), Georgetown Preparatory School (grade A+)
#1. North Bethesda, Maryland
– Overall Rank: 7
– Population: 49,763
– Median household income: $131,142
– Median home value: $714,500 (49% own)
– Median rent: $2,180 (51% rent)
– Top public schools: Walt Whitman High School (grade A+), Walter Johnson High School (grade A+), Richard Montgomery High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: BASIS Independent McLean (grade A+), Sidwell Friends School (grade A+), Georgetown Day School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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By Stacker
hey everyone and Jon Dykstra, just saw this list and wondering if anyone thinks Fulton is really better to live in than Potomac? first time trying to buy a house and all these options got my head spinning, how’s the traffic to DC, anyone knows?
This doesn’t make sense.
sure, North Bethesda is number one if you enjoy paying way too much for a coffee. bet half these places don’t even have a proper dive bar, what’s the point?
Absolutely LOVE seeing Ellicott City at #4! It’s got charm, history, and awesome shops. BEST PLACE for anyone looking to move to Maryland, no doubt!!
Interesting list Jon, but I gotta ask, on what criteria are we ranking these suburbs cuz last I checked, affordability isn’t just about home prices, what about property taxes, huh?
was hoping to see more about the community vibes in these places, not just the prices. anyone here from Martin’s Additions and can tell me if it’s chill there?
Towson at #22 is quite surprising to me. With its rich history and vibrant community, it deserves more recognition. The place has fantastic schools and a great community feel, definitely worth considering.
i have to laugh at these lists sometimes, like do people really think moving to #1 suburb magically makes life better? what about jobs, schools, community? not just about houses and prices, folks.
As someone thinking about retirement spots, Chevy Chase caught my eye being at #8. Anyone got insights on what the senior community is like there? Is it a quiet place or more on the lively side, thanks.
I live there. Love it, very walkable, quiet, shady streets, metro nearby, but very expensive for purchase and taxes.
Bethesda at #6, YES! Such a great place to work and live, especially for young professionals. Love the mix of city vibe with suburban comfort. Highly recommend it to anyone considering!
While Bethesda is great for some, it’s a tough market for new grads without a clear career path. Always consider job opportunities before relocating, folks.
bethesda’s cool but the nightlife? not so much. if you’re young and looking for fun, might wanna consider areas closer to dc for real action.
all these suburbs sound the same, expensive boring and out of touch. real people can barely afford to live in any of em, what’s the point of this list anyway