The 10 Best Baltimore Suburbs To Live In For 2026

Source: Wikipedia User Acroterion | CC BY-SA 3.0

$151,324 median income · $639,007 median home price

Located in Frederick County, Maryland

Median income +46% vs MD

$151,324

MD $104k

Median home value +49% vs MD

$639,007

MD $430k

Unemployment -55% vs MD

2.2%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -76% vs MD

2.3%

MD 9.4%

Mount Airy is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Baltimore area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Mount Airy.”

Everyone here is rich; families average $151,324 a year, which is the 2nd highest in the Baltimore region. And only 2.2% are out of work. Homes average more than $639,007 each.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Acroterion | CC BY-SA 3.0

$139,556 median income · $556,418 median home price

Located in Carroll County, Maryland

Median income +35% vs MD

$139,556

MD $104k

Median home value +29% vs MD

$556,418

MD $430k

Unemployment -53% vs MD

2.3%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -67% vs MD

3.1%

MD 9.4%

Sykesville is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Baltimore for 2026.

It ranks 5th for incomes in the area and only 1.2% of residents lack insurance, good for best.

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Here in University Park, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Baltimore metro area.

The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.

But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in University Park.

Data

Source: Public domain

$121,676 median income · $462,578 median home price

Located in Carroll County, Maryland

Median income +17% vs MD

$121,676

MD $104k

Median home value +8% vs MD

$462,578

MD $430k

Unemployment -98% vs MD

0.1%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -49% vs MD

4.8%

MD 9.4%

Manchester ranks as the 4th best suburb of Baltimore for 2026.

You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Manchester and the schools are some of the best around.

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Source: Wikipedia User Andrew Bossi | CC BY-SA 2.5

$141,995 median income · $524,118 median home price

Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Median income +37% vs MD

$141,995

MD $104k

Median home value +22% vs MD

$524,118

MD $430k

Unemployment -4% vs MD

4.7%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -60% vs MD

3.8%

MD 9.4%

Coming in as the fifth best is Bowie.

Bowie gets kudos for having the 5th most expensive homes in the Baltimore area, where houses sell for an average of $524,118. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

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$113,860 median income · $618,838 median home price

Located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Median income +10% vs MD

$113,860

MD $104k

Median home value +44% vs MD

$618,838

MD $430k

Unemployment -24% vs MD

3.7%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -17% vs MD

7.8%

MD 9.4%

Annapolis is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.

Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 3.7%.

According to online reports, Annapolis is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Baltimore area, meaning you need to get in soon.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Adavidb at English Wikipedia | GFDL

$100,504 median income · $476,648 median home price

Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Median income -3% vs MD

$100,504

MD $104k

Median home value +11% vs MD

$476,648

MD $430k

Unemployment -4% vs MD

4.7%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -4% vs MD

9.0%

MD 9.4%

The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Laurel.

Laurel schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.

And, it’s only 19.5 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Public domain

$97,871 median income · $439,359 median home price

Located in Carroll County, Maryland

Median income -6% vs MD

$97,871

MD $104k

Median home value +2% vs MD

$439,359

MD $430k

Unemployment -2% vs MD

4.8%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -27% vs MD

6.9%

MD 9.4%

Hampstead is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.

A solid 1.8% of people lack insurance, good for 3rd in the area.

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Source: Flickr User MDGovpics | CC BY 2.0

$106,414 median income · $413,332 median home price

Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Median income +3% vs MD

$106,414

MD $104k

Median home value -4% vs MD

$413,332

MD $430k

Unemployment -27% vs MD

3.6%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -44% vs MD

5.3%

MD 9.4%

Is ‘Everything Better In Glenarden?’

Almost.

It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Public domain

$146,591 median income · $440,967 median home price

Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Median income +41% vs MD

$146,591

MD $104k

Median home value +3% vs MD

$440,967

MD $430k

Unemployment -10% vs MD

4.4%

MD 4.9%

Poverty rate -30% vs MD

6.6%

MD 9.4%

And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Berwyn Heights.

This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers