Best counties to live in Maryland
Written by:
February 18, 2021
TownCreative // Wikimedia Commons
Best counties to live in Maryland
What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Maryland using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
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Delta1989 // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Kent County
- Population: 19,536
- Median home value: $249,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,007 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $58,598
- Median home value: $249,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,007 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $58,598
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MamaGeek // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Prince George's County
- Population: 908,670
- Median home value: $302,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,475 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $84,920
- Median home value: $302,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,475 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $84,920
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Vpuliva // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Washington County
- Population: 150,109
- Median home value: $210,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $921 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $60,860
- Median home value: $210,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $921 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $60,860
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Charles County
- Population: 159,428
- Median home value: $313,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,682 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $100,003
- Median home value: $313,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,682 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $100,003
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Eric Fischer // Wikicommons
#13. Wicomico County
- Population: 102,539
- Median home value: $175,700 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $56,956
- Median home value: $175,700 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $56,956
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Queen Anne's County
- Population: 49,632
- Median home value: $353,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,503 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $97,034
- Median home value: $353,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,503 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $97,034
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#11. St. Mary's County
- Population: 112,290
- Median home value: $301,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,398 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $89,845
- Median home value: $301,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,398 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $89,845
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Preservation Maryland // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Calvert County
- Population: 91,511
- Median home value: $358,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,520 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $109,313
- Median home value: $358,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,520 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $109,313
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Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Carroll County
- Population: 167,699
- Median home value: $339,600 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,132 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $96,769
- Median home value: $339,600 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,132 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $96,769
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Shopkins91 // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Talbot County
- Population: 37,167
- Median home value: $336,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,116 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $73,547
- Median home value: $336,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,116 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $73,547
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Linda Roy Walls // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Worcester County
- Population: 51,765
- Median home value: $262,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,035 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $63,499
- Median home value: $262,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,035 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $63,499
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Harford County
- Population: 252,222
- Median home value: $293,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,257 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $89,147
- Median home value: $293,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,257 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $89,147
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Charlie Stinchcomb // Flickr
#5. Anne Arundel County
- Population: 571,275
- Median home value: $361,200 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,663 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $100,798
- Median home value: $361,200 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,663 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $100,798
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Baltimore County
- Population: 828,018
- Median home value: $261,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,302 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $76,866
- Median home value: $261,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,302 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $76,866
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Frederick County
- Population: 251,422
- Median home value: $331,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,422 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $97,730
- Median home value: $331,600 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,422 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $97,730
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TownCreative // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Montgomery County
- Population: 1,043,530
- Median home value: $484,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,768 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $108,820
- Median home value: $484,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,768 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $108,820
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Zrmachuga // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Howard County
- Population: 318,855
- Median home value: $455,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,716 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $121,160
- Median home value: $455,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,716 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $121,160
