The 10 Safest Cities In Maryland For 2024

The safest cities in Maryland are Ocean Pines and Thurmont for 2024 using Saturday Night Science.

Here at HomeSnacks, we wanted to know just how safe each place and city in Maryland is.

More importantly, where are the safest cities in The Old Line State? So, we consulted the numbers. We analyzed 37 cities with over 5,000 residents. We looked at important factors like property crimes and violent crimes per capita for every place from Salisbury on Maryland's Eastern Shore to Cumberland in the state's northwest corner.

Moreover, if you choose one of Maryland's safest places to live, you'll get to experience the Mid-Atlantic's great places like Columbia, Severn, and Bowie. These are not only some of the best places in the state, they are some of Maryland's safest.

So, if you're looking to live near the beaches in Annapolis, the crab cakes in Baltimore, and some super fun, super safe places to live in Maryland, read on.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table

Here are the 10 safest cities to live in Maryland for 2024:

  1. Ocean Pines (Homes For Sale)
  2. Thurmont (Homes For Sale)
  3. Frostburg (Homes For Sale)
  4. Glenarden (Homes For Sale)
  5. Mount Airy (Homes For Sale)
  6. Bowie (Homes For Sale)
  7. Taneytown (Homes For Sale)
  8. Hampstead (Homes For Sale)
  9. Easton (Homes For Sale)
  10. Brunswick (Homes For Sale)
Safest Cities In Maryland Map

So, what city is the safest place to live in Maryland for 2024? According to the most recent FBI data, Ocean Pines is the safest place to live in Little America.

Check out the rest of our very safe Maryland cities to see how your city ranked. And if you don't find your favorite there, head to the bottom.

Note: Many places in maryland have stopped contributing crime data regularly. We extrapolate the crime data based on the most recently available data in those cases.

For more reading on safe places to live in and around Maryland, check out:

The 10 Safest Cities In Maryland For 2024

Ocean Pines, MD
Source: Town of Ocean Pines

Population: 11,710
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 17 (safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 555 (fourth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Ocean Pines: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Ocean Pines is the ideal destination when you're trying to find that true Maryland feel with safe, small city vibes and big city pride. This is definitely one of the reasons it has held strong in the top three to be our safest city in Maryland.

Ocean Pines' gold star qualities like the non-existent number of crimes per 100,000 residents, their large number of educated residents, and their A+ social and economic infrastructure, speaks volumes.

It might not be Baltimore, but this little beach city with a vibrant art scene, five star restaurants, unforgettable summer festivals, and endless fun, is just as notable and just as safe. Probably why it's one of the most populous cities on the Atlantic side of Maryland.

Thurmont, MD
Source: Wikipedia User Andrew Bain | GFDL

Population: 6,645
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 60 (fourth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 436 (third safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Thurmont: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

No this is not a suburb of Washington, D.C., but Thurmont, Maryland is just as safe and just as cool. It's so safe that it made the number 2 spot on our Safest Places to Live in Maryland 2024 list.

Located on Maryland's northern border, the only crimes that might happen in this city of 6,500 residents is someone dips their crab cake in ranch or someone is caught wearing a Redskins jersey.

When Thurmont's residents aren't busy spying on Camp David or checking on their neighbors, they are busy running around adding those "Your Children Live Here" signs to the community. Good work Thurmont.

There really is a true sense of community in this quaint town in Frederick county. Thurmont's gold star qualities like the non-existent number of crimes, their large number of educated residents, and just their overall safety standards.

Frostburg, MD
Source: Wikipedia User Lee Cannon from Bayville aka West Fenwick, DE, USA | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 7,024
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 113 (sixth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 128 (second safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Frostburg: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Frostburg, located in the Allegheny Mountains on the eastern slope of Big Savage Mountain is our third safest city in Maryland. Don't let the words frost and savage scare you, it's really safe here. This little city river city is super family friendly and virtually crime free. It's one of the safest places to call home on our list.

Frostburg's overall HomeSnacks snackability score was off the hook: a straight up 7/10! Not surprising, considering their safety rating is an 8/10 and percentage of educated residents is 8/10. Busy people = less naughty people. If that doesn't say safe, we don't know what does.

Keep making' the Old Line State proud, Frostburg. We all could learn a lot from this Allegany County city.

Glenarden, MD
Source: Flickr User MDGovpics | CC BY 2.0

Population: 6,234
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 48 (third safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 705 (fifth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Glenarden: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

It might not be Barney Fife's Mayberry, or maybe it is, but this safe, little Prince George County city with a vibrant community, quiet neighborhoods, and hardworking residents is just as notable and just as safe. And it is definitely why Glenarden is our fourth safest city in Maryland.

It doesn't end there, folks. This little Maryland gem, scored a strong 9/10 on our snackability scale. They scored an 8/10 for job opportunities and an 8/10 for number of educated residents. I think it's safe to say they're the poster city for the rest of the state. And word on the street, young professionals are starting to take notice and move Glenarden's direction. So don't wait, because the word is out.

Mount Airy, MD
Source: Wikipedia User Acroterion | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 9,472
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 42 (second safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 992 (tenth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Mount Airy: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Mount Airy may be short on crime, but it certainly isn't short on wine. In a town of under 10,000, Mount Airy has THREE vineyards, so you'll never go thirsty for vino. With all that booze around, you'd think drunken hooliganism would be a lot more prevalent, but Mount Airy averaged only one violent crime per season in the last year of available data. Combine that with a stellar property crime rate, and you've got yourself the fourth safest town in Maryland.

Mount Airy is a part of both the Baltimore and Washington metro areas.

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

Population: 57,068
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 108 (fifth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,203 (12th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Bowie: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
9.5
/10

Of course Bowie is safe. It's the home to Bowie State University. You wouldn't send your college kids just anywhere, right? Probably why they also have a large number of educated residents, and probably why they are our sixth safest city in Maryland. Safe and smart?! Good work Bowie!

This is the quintessential Maryland city located just East of Washington, D.C. Not surprising, they received an 8/10 safety score and an 9/10 amenities score. The neighborhoods are safe and there's a ton of stuff to do.

Whether it's betting on horses, strolling their bustling downtown, or buying crab at the local seafood shop, nothing says safe like a community that creates opportunities to get to know anything and everything about each other. Just make sure you take the trash out in proper attire because someone is always watching, and you wouldn't want to make the front page of the Bowie Blade News.

Taneytown, MD
Source: Wikipedia User Famartin | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 6,824
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 161 (tenth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 762 (seventh safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Taneytown: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Where Maryland Highway 194 meets Maryland Highway 140 is Taneytown. They take safety seriously in 'Taney'. So serious that their efforts moved them up to become our safest city in Maryland for 2024.

Located in Maryland's northern region, Taneytown offers a safe environment with small town charm that packs a big punch. Not literally, of course. No fighting happens in Carroll County; that wouldn't be safe. Unless, of course, you're wearing a Colts jersey; and then, we're pretty sure no one would be able to guarantee your safety.

Taneytown is also known for its safe, family friendly atmosphere. There is a ton of stuff to do in this little city of close to 8,000 residents. They have a boat load of places to shop and dine, and play. Their immaculate parks, provide the backdrop for safe, friendly games of basketball, volleyball, and soccer for all ages.

Hampstead, MD
Source: Public domain

Population: 6,342
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 157 (ninth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 851 (ninth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Hampstead: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Boy, oh boy does Hampstead have a lot going for it. What with a perfect 10/10 snackability score, a low cost of living, and now the title of fifth safest town in Maryland. It's hard to think of anything wrong with Hampstead really. Hampstead averaged exactly 1 crime per week in the last year of available data, so it's probably a pretty uneventful place to be a detective.

But for everyone else, kick back with a nice Ruhlman Brewery ale and enjoy the sanctuary of Hampstead.

Easton, MD
Source: Wikipedia User Mellowcream | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 17,237
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 121 (seventh safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,224 (13th safest)
Murders: 1
Murders Per 100k: 5
More on Easton: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
7
/10

As the county seat of Talbot County, Easton is recognized for its judicious blend of historical significance, centered around its early 18th-century courthouse, and contemporary amenities for its 17,237 residents. The city, applauded for its low seventh safest place rank in violent crime with only 21 instances and 1 murder case, demonstrates a steadfast dedication to public safety.

Furthermore, with 211 reported property crimes, Easton's position as the 13th safest regarding property offenses exemplifies its protective stance on community security and the cultural heritage that shapes its identity.

Brunswick, MD
Source: Public domain

Population: 8,279
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 193 (12th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 785 (eighth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Brunswick: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Brunswick is a super consistent place: it has the eighth safest rate of property crime and 12th safest rate of violent crime in Maryland, giving it the tenth place ranking overall.

And for those into the world's safest hobby, Brunswick has just the place for you. Judging by the fact that Brunswick averages just one violent crime per month, I'd say your day is unlikely to go off the rails in Brunswick.

Brunswick is just over the Potomac River from Virginia.

Methodology: How we calculated the safest cities in Maryland for 2024

Safest Cities in Maryland Graph

While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in Maryland are the safest, we wanted to rely on something other than speculation and opinion. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's most recent crime report in Maryland.

Specifically, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which summarizes the number of property and violent crimes in each city annually. We used two criteria:

  • Violent crimes per capita (murders, assaults, rapes, armed robberies)
  • Property crimes per capita (thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts)

For example, there were 67 crimes committed in Ocean Pines, with a reported population of 11,710. That means the number of crimes per capita is 0.0057, which translates into a 1 in 174 chance of being the victim of a crime.

We only looked at Maryland cities that have populations of more than 5,000. This filter left us with 37 of the biggest cities in Maryland to rank.

We ranked each city for each criterion from 1 to 37 where 1 in any particular category is the safest.

Next, we averaged each place's two criteria to create a Safety Index. We crowned the place with the lowest overall Safety Score, "The Safest Place In Maryland," with any ties going to the bigger city.

The safest city in Maryland, based on our criteria, is Ocean Pines. The most dangerous city in Maryland? Ocean City, where residents had a 1 in 7 chance of being the victim of a crime.

This article has been update for 2024. This report marks our tenth time ranking the safest places to live in Maryland. All the data comes from the FBI's Crime In The USA 2022 report.

Best Places To Retire In Maryland

Summary: The Safest Cities In The Old Line State

Looking at the data, you can tell that Ocean Pines is as safe as they come in Maryland, according to science and data.

But as most Maryland residents would agree, almost every place here has its safe and not safe parts. So just make sure you're informed ahead of time.

The safest places in Maryland are .

Here's a look at the most dangerous cities in Maryland according to the data:

  1. Ocean City
  2. Elkton
  3. Cambridge
For more reading, check out:

Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In Maryland For 2024?

Rank City Population Violent Crimes Per 100k Property Crimes Per 100k Murders Per 100k Murders
1 Ocean Pines, MD 11,710 17 555 0 0
2 Thurmont, MD 6,645 60 436 0 0
3 Frostburg, MD 7,024 113 128 0 0
4 Glenarden, MD 6,234 48 705 0 0
5 Mount Airy, MD 9,472 42 992 0 0
6 Bowie, MD 57,068 108 1,203 0 0
7 Taneytown, MD 6,824 161 762 0 0
8 Hampstead, MD 6,342 157 851 0 0
9 Easton, MD 17,237 121 1,224 5 1
10 Brunswick, MD 8,279 193 785 0 0
11 Havre De Grace, MD 14,883 127 1,397 0 0
12 District Heights, MD 6,015 282 748 0 0
13 New Carrollton, MD 13,036 222 1,043 0 0
14 Manchester, MD 5,477 419 127 0 0
15 Bel Air, MD 10,675 177 2,510 0 0
16 Cheverly, MD 6,482 323 1,573 0 0
17 Chestertown, MD 5,638 319 1,667 0 0
18 Frederick, MD 80,985 371 1,554 2 2
19 Riverdale Park, MD 7,258 261 2,176 13 1
20 Annapolis, MD 40,542 530 1,943 2 1
21 Westminster, MD 20,165 461 1,973 0 0
22 Takoma Park, MD 17,831 342 2,630 11 2
23 Greenbelt, MD 23,417 409 2,557 4 1
24 Fruitland, MD 5,346 243 3,516 0 0
25 Aberdeen, MD 17,576 608 2,127 5 1
26 Hagerstown, MD 43,548 711 2,052 18 8
27 Laurel, MD 25,814 418 2,835 3 1
28 La Plata, MD 9,538 429 2,725 0 0
29 Bladensburg, MD 9,476 538 2,680 31 3
30 Hyattsville, MD 18,331 403 5,002 21 4
31 Mount Rainier, MD 8,112 567 2,785 0 0
32 Salisbury, MD 33,063 1,094 2,582 3 1
33 Cumberland, MD 18,647 611 3,394 5 1
34 Baltimore, MD 570,546 1,553 3,277 50 287
35 Cambridge, MD 12,264 848 4,427 16 2
36 Elkton, MD 15,806 714 5,327 25 4
37 Ocean City, MD 6,957 1,854 10,809 0 0

Breaking Down Crime In The Safest And Most Dangerous Cities In Maryland

Safest Cities in Maryland Breakdown

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.

Safest Cities By State

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