Choosing the right town for retirement involves evaluating numerous factors that can significantly impact quality of life during your golden years. Our comprehensive analysis examines five key criteria: Overall Retirement Score, Walkability, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly ratings. These metrics work together to provide a holistic view of each community’s retirement livability.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Maryland’s worst towns for retirees.
Here’s the list.
21. Halethorpe
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 20.41
- Walkability: 64.17
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 54.05
- Vibrant Score: 57.15
- Transit-Friendly: 40.38
About Halethorpe
Halethorpe struggles as a retirement destination with an overall retirement score of just 20.41 out of 100. While it offers moderate walkability and urban sophistication, its transit options are limited with a score of only 40.38. The vibrant score of 57.15 indicates a moderate level of community engagement and activities. The median home price in Halethorpe is around $320,000, making it relatively affordable compared to other Maryland locations, but this doesn’t compensate for its retirement livability shortcomings.
20. Lanham
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.99
- Walkability: 59.42
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 67.04
- Vibrant Score: 57.70
- Transit-Friendly: 82.07
About Lanham
Lanham ranks poorly for retirement with a score of just 19.99. While it performs well in transit-friendliness (82.07) and offers decent urban sophistication, its walkability score of 59.42 suggests limited pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The vibrant score of 57.70 indicates a moderate community atmosphere. The median home price in Lanham is approximately $325,000, which is relatively affordable for the region but doesn’t make up for the town’s retirement living shortfalls.
19. Brentwood
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.79
- Walkability: 90.15
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 68.86
- Vibrant Score: 79.43
- Transit-Friendly: 84.05
About Brentwood
Brentwood presents a paradox with its low retirement score of 19.79 despite excellent scores in other categories. It boasts exceptional walkability (90.15) and good transit options (84.05), along with strong scores for vibrancy and urban sophistication. This suggests that while the town has good infrastructure, it may have other retirement-specific drawbacks not captured in these metrics. The median home price in Brentwood is around $340,000, which is moderate for the Maryland area.
18. Windsor Mill
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.72
- Walkability: 70.49
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 56.52
- Vibrant Score: 52.96
- Transit-Friendly: 63.54
About Windsor Mill
Windsor Mill rates poorly for retirement with a score of 19.72. While it has decent walkability at 70.49, its modest scores in urban sophistication, vibrancy, and transit options suggest a community that lacks the amenities and accessibility many retirees seek. The median home price in Windsor Mill is approximately $330,000, offering moderate affordability but insufficient retirement-friendly features.
17. Capitol Heights
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.58
- Walkability: 77.34
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 54.24
- Vibrant Score: 55.97
- Transit-Friendly: 83.87
About Capitol Heights
Capitol Heights scores just 19.58 for retirement livability despite strong walkability (77.34) and excellent transit options (83.87). Its urban sophistication and vibrant scores hover in the mid-50s, suggesting limited cultural amenities and community engagement opportunities for retirees. The median home price in Capitol Heights is around $310,000, which is relatively affordable for the region but doesn’t offset its retirement living limitations.
16. Delmar
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.53
- Walkability: 52.66
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 30.91
- Vibrant Score: 50.69
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
About Delmar
Delmar’s retirement appeal is severely hampered by its non-existent public transit and very low urban sophistication rating of 30.91. The walkability score of 52.66 and vibrant score of 50.69 are both mediocre, contributing to its overall poor retirement rating of 19.53. The median home price in Delmar is approximately $275,000, making it more affordable than many Maryland towns, but its lack of amenities and accessibility makes it challenging for retirees.
15. District Heights
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.20
- Walkability: 66.81
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 47.08
- Vibrant Score: 72.25
- Transit-Friendly: 79.17
About District Heights
District Heights receives a low retirement score of 19.20 despite good transit options (79.17) and a solid vibrant score (72.25). Its urban sophistication score of 47.08 indicates limited cultural amenities, while walkability is moderate at 66.81. The median home price in District Heights is around $315,000, offering reasonable affordability but insufficient retirement-specific amenities and services.
14. Cottage City
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 18.53
- Walkability: 78.89
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 65.29
- Vibrant Score: 75.82
- Transit-Friendly: 79.92
About Cottage City
Cottage City presents another paradox with strong scores across walkability (78.89), urban sophistication (65.29), vibrancy (75.82), and transit options (79.92), yet a poor overall retirement score of 18.53. This suggests other retirement-specific factors not captured in these metrics may be lacking. The median home price in Cottage City is approximately $325,000, which is moderate for the region but doesn’t compensate for its retirement living shortcomings.
13. Mount Rainier
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.88
- Walkability: 90.40
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 58.14
- Vibrant Score: 77.41
- Transit-Friendly: 87.05
About Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier shows excellent walkability (90.40) and transit options (87.05) with a good vibrant score (77.41), yet its overall retirement score is a disappointing 17.88. The urban sophistication score of 58.14 suggests moderate cultural amenities. The median home price in Mount Rainier is around $345,000, which is in the middle range for Maryland but doesn’t offset the town’s retirement-specific challenges.
12. Glen Burnie
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.88
- Walkability: 69.43
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 53.56
- Vibrant Score: 71.22
- Transit-Friendly: 38.81
About Glen Burnie
Glen Burnie struggles as a retirement destination with a low score of 17.88. Its transit options are particularly poor (38.81), while walkability (69.43) and urban sophistication (53.56) are only moderate. The vibrant score of 71.22 is the town’s strongest feature. The median home price in Glen Burnie is approximately $375,000, as reported in recent market data, making it less affordable than some other towns on this list while still offering poor retirement livability.
11. Fort Meade
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.33
- Walkability: 43.26
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 59.92
- Vibrant Score: 41.74
- Transit-Friendly: 64.31
About Fort Meade
Fort Meade’s poor retirement score of 17.33 is reflected in its low walkability (43.26) and vibrant score (41.74). While transit options are moderate (64.31) and urban sophistication is reasonable (59.92), the overall package fails to create a retirement-friendly environment. The median home price in Fort Meade is approximately $350,000, which is moderate for the region but doesn’t compensate for its retirement living deficiencies.
10. Aberdeen Proving Ground
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.13
- Walkability: 12.54
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 64.08
- Vibrant Score: 21.87
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
About Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground ranks poorly for retirement with a score of 17.13, largely due to its abysmal walkability (12.54), and low vibrant score (21.87). The urban sophistication score of 64.08 is its only moderate feature. As a military installation, Aberdeen Proving Ground has limited housing options for the general public, making it an impractical choice for most retirees regardless of home prices.
9. Dundalk
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 15.62
- Walkability: 77.07
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 37.14
- Vibrant Score: 68.32
- Transit-Friendly: 34.37
About Dundalk
Dundalk’s retirement score of 15.62 reflects its mixed performance across metrics. While walkability is good (77.07) and the vibrant score is decent (68.32), it suffers from poor transit options (34.37) and limited urban sophistication (37.14). The median home price in Dundalk is approximately $290,000, making it more affordable than many Maryland towns, but its retirement amenities and services are significantly lacking.
8. Edgewood
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 14.49
- Walkability: 65.75
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 54.17
- Vibrant Score: 61.99
- Transit-Friendly: 24.54
About Edgewood
Edgewood scores very poorly for retirement with a rating of just 14.49. While its walkability (65.75), urban sophistication (54.17), and vibrant score (61.99) are moderate, its transit options are severely limited (24.54). The median home price in Edgewood is around $300,000, offering reasonable affordability but significantly insufficient retirement-friendly features and services.
7. Riverdale
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 13.59
- Walkability: 84.41
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 66.91
- Vibrant Score: 78.84
- Transit-Friendly: 86.81
About Riverdale
Riverdale presents a significant disconnect with excellent scores across walkability (84.41), urban sophistication (66.91), vibrancy (78.84), and transit options (86.81), yet an extremely poor overall retirement score of 13.59. This suggests serious retirement-specific challenges not captured in these metrics. The median home price in Riverdale is approximately $330,000, which is moderate for the Maryland area but doesn’t make up for its retirement living shortcomings.
6. Hyattsville
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 13.44
- Walkability: 77.56
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 50.74
- Vibrant Score: 76.49
- Transit-Friendly: 81.66
About Hyattsville
Hyattsville scores very poorly for retirement with a rating of just 13.44 despite strong walkability (77.56), transit options (81.66), and vibrancy (76.49). Its urban sophistication is moderate at 50.74. The median home price in Hyattsville is around $350,000, which is in the middle range for Maryland but doesn’t offset the town’s significant retirement-specific deficiencies.
5. New Carrollton
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 12.90
- Walkability: 76.17
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 51.48
- Vibrant Score: 84.29
- Transit-Friendly: 85.31
About New Carrollton
New Carrollton has a very poor retirement score of 12.90 despite excellent transit options (85.31) and vibrancy (84.29), along with good walkability (76.17). The urban sophistication score is moderate at 51.48. The median home price in New Carrollton is approximately $335,000, which is mid-range for the Maryland area but doesn’t overcome the town’s retirement-specific challenges.
4. Andrews Air Force Base
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 9.49
- Walkability: 25.18
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 38.32
- Vibrant Score: 41.12
- Transit-Friendly: 31.80
About Andrews Air Force Base
Andrews Air Force Base has a severely low retirement score of 9.49, with poor performance across all metrics: walkability (25.18), urban sophistication (38.32), vibrancy (41.12), and transit options (31.80). As a military installation, Andrews Air Force Base has restricted housing access for the general public, making it an impractical retirement choice for most people regardless of home prices.
3. Princess Anne
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 4.86
- Walkability: 22.97
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.90
- Vibrant Score: 31.11
- Transit-Friendly: 33.90
About Princess Anne
Princess Anne has an abysmal retirement score of just 4.86, with extremely poor performance across all metrics: walkability (22.97), urban sophistication (3.90), vibrancy (31.11), and transit options (33.90). The median home price in Princess Anne is approximately $230,000, making it one of the more affordable towns on this list, but its severe lack of retirement-friendly amenities and services makes it a significantly challenging place for retirees.
2. Bladensburg
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 4.84
- Walkability: 85.67
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 26.56
- Vibrant Score: 61.95
- Transit-Friendly: 81.95
About Bladensburg
Bladensburg has an extremely poor retirement score of 4.84 despite excellent walkability (85.67) and transit options (81.95). The vibrant score is decent at 61.95, but urban sophistication is quite low at 26.56. This significant disconnect suggests serious retirement-specific challenges not captured in these individual metrics. The median home price in Bladensburg is approximately $305,000, which is relatively affordable for the region but doesn’t compensate for its severe retirement living deficiencies.
1. Landover Hills
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 1.73
- Walkability: 84.23
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 68.73
- Vibrant Score: 64.15
- Transit-Friendly: 84.77
About Landover Hills
Landover Hills ranks as the absolute worst town for retirement in Maryland with an extremely low score of 1.73, despite strong performance in walkability (84.23), urban sophistication (68.73), vibrancy (64.15), and transit options (84.77). This profound disconnect suggests critical retirement-specific issues not reflected in these metrics. The median home price in Landover Hills is approximately $395,950 as of early 2025, making it one of the more expensive towns on this list while offering the poorest retirement livability.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Retirement Score: A comprehensive metric that evaluates a town’s suitability for retirees, incorporating factors such as healthcare access, crime rates, tax burden, senior services, climate comfort, and the other metrics listed below. This score provides an at-a-glance assessment of retirement livability on a scale of 1-100.
- Walkability: Measures how pedestrian-friendly a town is, considering sidewalk availability, street connectivity, pedestrian safety, and proximity of essential services. For retirees, high walkability promotes independence, physical activity, and community engagement.
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): Assesses the availability and quality of cultural resources such as museums, theaters, educational opportunities, restaurants, and community events. These amenities enrich retirement by providing intellectual stimulation and social opportunities.
- Vibrant Score: Evaluates the energy and social cohesion of a community, including community engagement, diversity of activities, and general atmosphere. A vibrant community offers retirees more opportunities for meaningful social connections and active participation.
- Transit-Friendly: Measures the quality and accessibility of public transportation options. Good transit infrastructure is crucial for retirees who may no longer drive, enabling continued independence and access to services across the community.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
- Rocket Homes Real Estate – https://rocket.com/homes/market-reports/md/landover-hills
- Redfin Housing Market Report – https://www.redfin.com/city/23232/MD/Glen-Burnie/housing-market
- Movoto Real Estate – https://www.movoto.com/landover-hills-md/
- Houzeo Maryland Housing Market Report – https://www.houzeo.com/blog/maryland-real-estate-market/
