10 Best Small Towns In Maryland [2026]

You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Maryland. Best suburbs in Maryland. Best counties in Maryland.

Etc., etc., etc.

But they all 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 superb 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 want to know which places in Maryland ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.

No. 1 best small town in Maryland

Chevy Chase Village, MD

1,903 people

$250,001 median income · 2.6% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +376% vs MD

$2,046,702

MD $430k

Unemployment -47% vs MD

2.6%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 2 best small town in Maryland

Chevy Chase View, MD

1,063 people

$250,001 median income · 1.2% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +248% vs MD

$1,493,700

MD $430k

Unemployment -76% vs MD

1.2%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 3 best small town in Maryland

Cabin John, MD

2,179 people

$250,001 median income · 0.0% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +200% vs MD

$1,289,768

MD $430k

Unemployment -100% vs MD

0.0%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 4 best small town in Maryland

Martin’s Additions, MD

1,012 people

$250,001 median income · 0.0% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +266% vs MD

$1,571,047

MD $430k

Unemployment -100% vs MD

0.0%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 5 best small town in Maryland

Chevy Chase, MD

2,906 people

$250,001 median income · 3.1% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +190% vs MD

$1,247,761

MD $430k

Unemployment -37% vs MD

3.1%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 6 best small town in Maryland

Somerset, MD

1,088 people

$250,001 median income · 2.3% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +141% vs MD

$250,001

MD $104k

Median home value +323% vs MD

$1,816,447

MD $430k

Unemployment -53% vs MD

2.3%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 7 best small town in Maryland

Brookmont, MD

3,671 people

$247,150 median income · 3.0% unemployment

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland

Median income +138% vs MD

$247,150

MD $104k

Median home value +224% vs MD

$1,392,882

MD $430k

Unemployment -39% vs MD

3.0%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 8 best small town in Maryland

Herald Harbor, MD

2,430 people

$147,778 median income · 1.8% unemployment

Located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Median income +43% vs MD

$147,778

MD $104k

Median home value +43% vs MD

$612,577

MD $430k

Unemployment -63% vs MD

1.8%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 9 best small town in Maryland

New Market, MD

1,603 people

$202,872 median income · 1.3% unemployment

Located in Frederick County, Maryland

Median income +96% vs MD

$202,872

MD $104k

Median home value +39% vs MD

$596,175

MD $430k

Unemployment -73% vs MD

1.3%

MD 4.9%

Data

No. 10 best small town in Maryland

Adamstown, MD

2,025 people

$195,625 median income · 1.2% unemployment

Located in Frederick County, Maryland

Median income +89% vs MD

$195,625

MD $104k

Median home value +55% vs MD

$665,450

MD $430k

Unemployment -76% vs MD

1.2%

MD 4.9%

Data

The receipts

Compare the top ten

Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Maryland’s statewide median.

City Median income vs MD

1 Chevy Chase Village $250,001 +141%

2 Chevy Chase View $250,001 +141%

3 Cabin John $250,001 +141%

4 Martin’s Additions $250,001 +141%

5 Chevy Chase $250,001 +141%

6 Somerset $250,001 +141%

7 Brookmont $247,150 +138%

8 Herald Harbor $147,778 +43%

9 New Market $202,872 +96%

10 Adamstown $195,625 +89%

Maryland statewide median: $103,678

City Median home value vs MD

1 Chevy Chase Village $2,046,702 +376%

2 Chevy Chase View $1,493,700 +248%

3 Cabin John $1,289,768 +200%

4 Martin’s Additions $1,571,047 +266%

5 Chevy Chase $1,247,761 +190%

6 Somerset $1,816,447 +323%

7 Brookmont $1,392,882 +224%

8 Herald Harbor $612,577 +43%

9 New Market $596,175 +39%

10 Adamstown $665,450 +55%

Maryland statewide median: $429,705

City Unemployment vs MD

1 Chevy Chase Village 2.6% -47%

2 Chevy Chase View 1.2% -76%

3 Cabin John 0.0% -100%

4 Martin’s Additions 0.0% -100%

5 Chevy Chase 3.1% -37%

6 Somerset 2.3% -53%

7 Brookmont 3.0% -39%

8 Herald Harbor 1.8% -63%

9 New Market 1.3% -73%

10 Adamstown 1.2% -76%

Maryland statewide median: 4.9%

City Population vs MD

1 Chevy Chase Village 1,903 —

2 Chevy Chase View 1,063 —

3 Cabin John 2,179 —

4 Martin’s Additions 1,012 —

5 Chevy Chase 2,906 —

6 Somerset 1,088 —

7 Brookmont 3,671 —

8 Herald Harbor 2,430 —

9 New Market 1,603 —

10 Adamstown 2,025 —

On the map

Saturday Night Science

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Maryland

We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Maryland possible.

Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, 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)

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 124 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 124, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Maryland. Top of that list — Chevy Chase Village.

This is our eleventh time ranking the best small places to live in Maryland.

The full plate

Best Small Towns In Maryland

Click any column to sort. Search by town name.

Rank	Town	Population	Median Income	Median Home Value	Unemployment Rate
1	Chevy Chase Village	1,903	$250,001	$2,046,702	2.6%
2	Chevy Chase View	1,063	$250,001	$1,493,700	1.2%
3	Cabin John	2,179	$250,001	$1,289,768	0.0%
4	Martin’s Additions	1,012	$250,001	$1,571,047	0.0%
5	Chevy Chase	2,906	$250,001	$1,247,761	3.1%
6	Somerset	1,088	$250,001	$1,816,447	2.3%
7	Brookmont	3,671	$247,150	$1,392,882	3.0%
8	Herald Harbor	2,430	$147,778	$612,577	1.8%
9	New Market	1,603	$202,872	$596,175	1.3%
10	Adamstown	2,025	$195,625	$665,450	1.2%
11	Myersville	2,358	$149,726	$555,813	0.0%
12	Leonar	4,808	$153,819	$588,733	2.1%
13	Sykesville	4,491	$139,556	$556,418	2.3%
14	University Park	2,698	$207,500	$658,034	4.5%
15	Riva	4,976	$176,094	$662,475	1.2%
16	Jefferson	3,314	$150,854	$570,367	2.5%
17	Owings	2,643	$176,378	$618,126	0.7%
18	Monrovia	3,568	$207,153	$670,899	2.2%
19	Dunkirk	2,166	$149,271	$637,635	2.0%
20	Kensington	2,369	$152,284	$815,355	6.2%
21	Crownsville	1,756	$201,550	$665,217	1.8%
22	Long Beach	1,849	$126,683	$451,297	0.0%
23	Bel Air	1,837	$97,685	$461,262	0.0%
24	Buckeystown	1,192	$133,611	$555,270	1.8%
25	Solomons	2,440	$94,963	$443,339	3.1%
26	Naval Academy	3,006	$122,432	$0	4.4%
27	Friendship Heights Village	4,002	$119,384	$495,609	3.5%
28	Point of Rocks	2,462	$159,708	$483,480	4.0%
29	Gambrills	2,830	$148,594	$617,067	1.8%
30	Bartonsville	3,282	$156,979	$636,319	3.1%
31	Galesville	1,062	$205,205	$657,652	6.3%
32	Arden on the Severn	1,761	$125,484	$489,878	2.9%
33	Paramount-Long Meadow	2,569	$122,262	$424,032	2.6%
34	St. Michaels	1,240	$78,265	$727,069	7.6%
35	West Laurel	4,428	$164,688	$553,632	5.0%
36	Centreville	4,761	$89,602	$526,175	2.2%
37	Kingsville	4,687	$128,563	$546,275	0.5%
38	Pleasant Hills	3,836	$166,339	$545,343	3.6%
39	Spencerville	1,028	$189,766	$780,590	0.0%
40	Derwood	1,984	$118,194	$640,218	14.6%
41	Woodmore	4,613	$184,286	$618,718	6.9%
42	Braddock Heights	2,892	$124,000	$550,255	0.0%
43	Aberdeen Proving Ground	2,193	$125,069	$0	3.4%
44	Lusby	2,595	$151,711	$375,634	0.7%
45	Woodsboro	1,540	$116,964	$500,842	2.5%
46	Keedysville	1,183	$149,545	$459,546	4.9%
47	Algonquin	1,074	$76,500	$350,600	0.0%
48	Rock Hall	1,215	$74,597	$358,032	1.3%
49	Huntingtown	2,689	$185,313	$618,233	5.8%
50	Berwyn Heights	3,318	$146,591	$440,967	4.4%
51	Boonsboro	3,809	$95,956	$405,553	2.6%
52	La Vale	4,196	$77,500	$174,788	3.3%
53	Charle	1,999	$122,125	$387,236	4.3%
54	Mechanicsville	1,395	$120,966	$435,831	1.9%
55	Hughesville	2,098	$106,250	$582,957	0.7%
56	Mount Vernon	1,067	$113,938	$167,318	0.0%
57	Jarrettsville	2,560	$146,635	$551,492	5.2%
58	Grasonville	3,564	$120,676	$574,435	1.6%
59	Chester	4,797	$102,399	$530,270	2.2%
60	Shady Side	4,727	$153,661	$424,953	4.4%
61	New Windsor	1,400	$111,250	$476,372	3.4%
62	North East	4,134	$91,603	$394,397	5.7%
63	St. James	4,824	$97,361	$453,576	1.4%
64	Colmar Manor	1,566	$122,794	$349,420	4.0%
65	North Beach	2,296	$83,933	$416,119	17.1%
66	Golden Beach	3,830	$133,194	$391,636	2.7%
67	Kingstown	1,713	$93,625	$299,842	3.2%
68	Baden	2,325	$151,058	$603,777	7.5%
69	Rising Sun	2,764	$85,563	$399,138	4.4%
70	Piney Point	1,274	$129,018	$482,522	5.2%
71	Smithsburg	3,115	$100,673	$367,371	4.1%
72	Croom	2,418	$187,667	$651,465	8.5%
73	Marlboro Meadows	3,929	$111,313	$417,936	3.1%
74	Drum Point	3,589	$109,231	$425,509	5.5%
75	National Harbor	4,454	$109,707	$483,533	8.9%
76	Queen Anne	1,443	$102,727	$489,461	19.2%
77	Perryville	4,447	$77,733	$345,545	4.2%
78	Funk	1,076	$61,392	$284,287	4.3%
79	Konterra	3,641	$130,000	$470,434	5.0%
80	Wilson-Conococheague	1,663	$64,296	$229,844	0.0%
81	Forest Heights	2,642	$98,734	$360,244	10.3%
82	Delmar	4,261	$85,174	$295,768	4.1%
83	Union Bridge	1,055	$76,250	$449,414	2.5%
84	Maugansville	3,624	$79,019	$294,664	1.6%
85	Libertytown	1,346	$113,865	$394,911	1.6%
86	Church Hill	1,060	$72,425	$457,976	0.4%
87	Andrews AFB	3,130	$87,407	$0	4.6%
88	Oakland	2,254	$53,289	$277,671	3.2%
89	Emmitsburg	2,845	$81,250	$369,613	0.9%
90	Hebron	1,566	$97,841	$309,335	3.0%
91	Indian Head	4,055	$89,063	$345,309	3.1%
92	Princess Anne	3,569	$69,116	$225,499	5.9%
93	Westernport	1,588	$47,688	$85,834	0.0%
94	Prince Frederick	2,955	$80,391	$477,076	2.2%
95	Capitol Heights	4,020	$97,155	$326,172	16.7%
96	Landover Hills	2,031	$92,500	$363,292	10.8%
97	Edmonston	1,307	$78,333	$373,492	12.4%
98	Pocomoke City	4,405	$53,203	$224,982	3.0%
99	Williamsport	1,949	$61,607	$343,845	11.9%
100	Brentwood	3,777	$69,572	$395,747	5.5%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024 via Saturday Night Science. 124 Maryland towns between 1,000 and 5,000 residents.

Summary

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, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these small towns in Maryland are the best in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

The best small towns in Maryland are Chevy Chase Village, Chevy Chase View, Cabin John, Martin’s Additions, Chevy Chase, Somerset, Brookmont, Herald Harbor, New Market, and Adamstown.

Keep reading

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Chevy Chase Village, MD

Chevy Chase View, MD

Cabin John, MD

Martin’s Additions, MD

Chevy Chase, MD

Somerset, MD

Brookmont, MD

Herald Harbor, MD

New Market, MD

Adamstown, MD

Compare the top ten

Where Maryland’s best small towns are

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Maryland

Best Small Towns In Maryland

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

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