The 10 Best Small Towns In Maryland For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in Maryland are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in Maryland, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them focus on major cities and towns in the Old Line State and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that's all about to change as we put together a list of the best small towns in Maryland based on numbers--not opinions or hearsay.

We'll dive right into our methodology in the next section; but first, we thought you might just want to know which places in Maryland ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in Maryland for 2022.

The 10 Best Small Towns To Live In Maryland For 2022

  1. Chevy Chase Village
  2. Cabin John
  3. Chevy Chase
  4. Martin's Additions
  5. Chevy Chase View
  6. Brookmont
  7. Hampton
  8. Friendship Heights Village
  9. University Park
  10. Middl

What's the best small town in Maryland? Chevy Chase Village is the best small town in Maryland based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Chevy Chase Village, chances are, you're not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you--keep reading and we'll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Old Line State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Maryland For 2022

1. Chevy Chase Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,871
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,937,500 (1st Best)
More on Chevy Chase Village: Data | Homes For Sale

2. Cabin John

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,276
Median Income: $181,324 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $990,000 (5th Best)
More on Cabin John: Data | Homes For Sale

3. Chevy Chase

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,979
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,326,200 (2nd Best)
More on Chevy Chase: Data | Homes For Sale

4. Martin's Additions

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,089
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,218,800 (3rd Best)
More on Martin's Additions:  | Homes For Sale

5. Chevy Chase View

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,151
Median Income: $250,001 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $986,900 (6th Best)
More on Chevy Chase View: Data | Homes For Sale

6. Brookmont

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 3,925
Median Income: $249,432 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,058,900 (4th Best)
More on Brookmont: Data | Homes For Sale

7. Hampton

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 4,706
Median Income: $153,268 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $487,700 (20th Best)
More on Hampton: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Friendship Heights Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,577
Median Income: $106,771 (48th Best)
Median Home Value: $451,900 (29th Best)
More on Friendship Heights Village: Data | Homes For Sale

9. University Park

University Park, MD

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,653
Median Income: $154,896 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $495,600 (19th Best)
More on University Park: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

10. Middl

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,694
Median Income: $142,903 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $425,400 (36th Best)
More on Middl: Data | Homes For Sale

11. New Market

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,527
Median Income: $153,472 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $467,400 (26th Best)
More on New Market: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Herald Harbor

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,414
Median Income: $140,493 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $516,100 (15th Best)
More on Herald Harbor: Data | Homes For Sale

13. Fulton

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,050
Median Income: $170,357 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $637,000 (10th Best)
More on Fulton: Data | Homes For Sale

14. Riva

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,321
Median Income: $126,792 (25th Best)
Median Home Value: $484,500 (21st Best)
More on Riva: Data | Homes For Sale

15. Owings

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,483
Median Income: $137,381 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $518,300 (14th Best)
More on Owings: Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Maryland

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 127 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 127, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Maryland. Top of that list -- Chevy Chase Village. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns in Maryland.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once and we'll say it again -- this list: it's just science. We did the research, we crunched the numbers, and it turns out, these 15 small towns in Maryland are the best, in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in Maryland:

  1. Greensboro
  2. Crisfield
  3. Willards

For more Maryland reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In Maryland

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Chevy Chase Village, MD 1,871 $250,001.0 $1,937,500.0
2 Cabin John, MD 2,276 $181,324.0 $990,000.0
3 Chevy Chase, MD 2,979 $250,001.0 $1,326,200.0
4 Martin's Additions, MD 1,089 $250,001.0 $1,218,800.0
5 Chevy Chase View, MD 1,151 $250,001.0 $986,900.0
6 Brookmont, MD 3,925 $249,432.0 $1,058,900.0
7 Hampton, MD 4,706 $153,268.0 $487,700.0
8 Friendship Heights Village, MD 4,577 $106,771.0 $451,900.0
9 University Park, MD 2,653 $154,896.0 $495,600.0
10 Middl, MD 4,694 $142,903.0 $425,400.0
11 New Market, MD 1,527 $153,472.0 $467,400.0
12 Herald Harbor, MD 2,414 $140,493.0 $516,100.0
13 Fulton, MD 4,050 $170,357.0 $637,000.0
14 Riva, MD 4,321 $126,792.0 $484,500.0
15 Owings, MD 2,483 $137,381.0 $518,300.0
16 Highland, MD 1,086 $200,000.0 $721,900.0
17 Monrovia, MD 1,556 $151,786.0 $572,300.0
18 Myersville, MD 2,225 $125,625.0 $353,500.0
19 Pleasant Hills, MD 4,017 $121,974.0 $401,300.0
20 Kensington, MD 2,212 $126,162.0 $744,800.0
21 West Laurel, MD 4,171 $140,357.0 $365,200.0
22 Sykesville, MD 3,948 $110,335.0 $353,800.0
23 Centreville, MD 4,829 $98,942.0 $338,100.0
24 Derwood, MD 1,644 $80,595.0 $554,100.0
25 Drum Point, MD 2,534 $115,096.0 $287,700.0
26 Leonar, MD 3,795 $119,250.0 $402,100.0
27 Adamstown, MD 2,130 $167,857.0 $469,200.0
28 Gambrills, MD 2,929 $140,238.0 $451,600.0
29 Konterra, MD 2,368 $101,667.0 $360,900.0
30 Solomons, MD 2,470 $97,727.0 $414,300.0
31 Galesville, MD 1,262 $167,723.0 $789,000.0
32 National Harbor, MD 3,998 $109,559.0 $328,000.0
33 Huntingtown, MD 3,029 $160,000.0 $450,700.0
34 Bartonsville, MD 1,786 $143,889.0 $466,300.0
35 Paramount-Long Meadow, MD 2,834 $84,706.0 $280,700.0
36 Point Of Rocks, MD 2,067 $112,155.0 $335,700.0
37 Jefferson, MD 2,577 $116,042.0 $362,200.0
38 Hillandale, MD 4,737 $118,779.0 $421,600.0
39 Woodsboro, MD 1,181 $102,500.0 $334,900.0
40 Manchester, MD 4,752 $91,723.0 $291,100.0
41 Kingsville, MD 4,649 $104,265.0 $435,100.0
42 Piney Point, MD 1,036 $123,563.0 $332,100.0
43 La Vale, MD 4,486 $73,872.0 $160,800.0
44 Keedysville, MD 1,081 $116,500.0 $310,900.0
45 Berwyn Heights, MD 3,256 $115,750.0 $325,100.0
46 Dunkirk, MD 2,175 $135,750.0 $437,400.0
47 New Windsor, MD 1,387 $96,818.0 $287,000.0
48 Queen Anne, MD 1,183 $139,792.0 $627,700.0
49 St. Michaels, MD 1,311 $65,885.0 $471,200.0
50 Shady Side, MD 4,885 $110,417.0 $339,000.0
51 Hughesville, MD 2,525 $123,348.0 $477,000.0
52 Arden On The Severn, MD 1,457 $126,250.0 $384,500.0
53 Deale, MD 4,592 $95,116.0 $351,800.0
54 Baden, MD 1,574 $124,766.0 $514,400.0
55 Crownsville, MD 1,473 $93,750.0 $514,900.0
56 Golden Beach, MD 3,620 $83,438.0 $293,900.0
57 Spencerville, MD 1,653 $104,333.0 $502,300.0
58 Buckeystown, MD 1,289 $87,974.0 $409,500.0
59 Woodmore, MD 4,698 $168,245.0 $447,400.0
60 Cavetown, MD 1,104 $88,535.0 $244,400.0
61 Braddock Heights, MD 3,093 $103,438.0 $398,600.0
62 Bel Air, MD 1,504 $64,194.0 $159,600.0
63 Kingstown, MD 1,853 $52,798.0 $222,900.0
64 St. James, MD 3,567 $84,434.0 $274,300.0
65 Springdale, MD 4,762 $119,530.0 $336,600.0
66 Charle, MD 1,530 $95,938.0 $284,300.0
67 Pylesville, MD 1,015 $114,148.0 $466,900.0
68 Maugansville, MD 2,148 $52,143.0 $200,300.0
69 Chester, MD 4,319 $82,588.0 $355,200.0
70 Perryville, MD 4,424 $81,974.0 $240,300.0
71 Grasonville, MD 3,578 $99,550.0 $363,900.0
72 West Ocean City, MD 4,661 $90,426.0 $330,100.0
73 Rising Sun, MD 2,790 $72,021.0 $249,400.0
74 Berlin, MD 4,740 $60,301.0 $248,600.0
75 Lusby, MD 2,180 $82,756.0 $270,000.0
76 Forest Heights, MD 2,739 $96,111.0 $221,600.0
77 Boonsboro, MD 3,594 $82,201.0 $274,700.0
78 Mechanicsville, MD 1,724 $99,041.0 $357,300.0
79 Oakland, MD 2,099 $54,519.0 $214,300.0
80 Long Beach, MD 1,979 $119,078.0 $301,600.0
81 Smithsburg, MD 2,977 $88,625.0 $246,600.0
82 Peppermill Village, MD 4,861 $71,957.0 $249,800.0
83 Algonquin, MD 1,110 $60,833.0 $227,700.0
84 Princess Anne, MD 3,525 $34,397.0 $137,000.0
85 Marlboro Meadows, MD 3,705 $86,017.0 $292,800.0
86 Edmonston, MD 1,399 $71,667.0 $281,500.0
87 Melwood, MD 3,923 $81,944.0 $345,200.0
88 Rock Hall, MD 1,563 $47,639.0 $183,000.0
89 Morningside, MD 1,132 $62,857.0 $235,700.0
90 Bowling Green, MD 1,289 $62,736.0 $99,400.0
91 Brentwood, MD 3,443 $80,737.0 $312,500.0
92 North East, MD 3,588 $54,911.0 $206,400.0
93 Lonaconing, MD 1,282 $47,824.0 $72,600.0
94 Williamsport, MD 2,012 $49,583.0 $165,700.0
95 Emmitsburg, MD 3,156 $72,887.0 $263,800.0
96 Colmar Manor, MD 1,395 $73,839.0 $274,300.0
97 Jarrettsville, MD 2,827 $117,833.0 $435,700.0
98 North Beach, MD 2,790 $69,009.0 $278,500.0
99 Potomac Heights, MD 1,247 $58,291.0 $59,000.0
100 Pittsville, MD 1,742 $60,170.0 $160,000.0
Download The Entire Maryland Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Maryland.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings