Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
High incomes, top schools, Chesapeake Bay living, and easy access to DC and Baltimore.
1. Bethesda: Best overall
2. Columbia: Best master-planned
3. Rockville: Best for biotech jobs
4. Annapolis: Best for waterfront living
5. Frederick: Best value
6. Gaithersburg: Best for families
7. Baltimore: Best for city value
8. Towson: Best Baltimore suburb
9. Ellicott City: Best historic town
Maryland combines some of the highest household incomes in the country with top schools, a strong government and biotech job base, and access to both DC and Baltimore. Costs are high, but so are salaries and the quality of life. Here are the 9 best places to live in Maryland, ranked.