If you love the history, arts and culture, dining, and shopping in
Baltimore, but you aren’t so sure about big city life, that doesn’t mean you have to settle. These Baltimore suburbs are the best of the best.
You’ll find beautiful houses, great amenities, close-knit communities, and a whole lot more in the 10 suburbs on this list. Plus, these peaceful suburbs are just a quick drive away from all the action in Baltimore.
Let’s take a look at the 10 winners.
1. Gambrills (tie)
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 717
- Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent
The tiny suburb of Gambrills earns the first place spot on our list of the best Baltimore suburbs with one of the lowest unemployment and crime rates of any place we ranked. Home buyers will find a range of options, from modest townhomes to stately Colonial style houses.
Gambrills may have a population of just over 2,500 residents, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of amenities to enjoy. Grab a bite to eat at numerous local restaurants, or shop brand name retailers at the Waugh Chapel Towne Centre.
1. Fulton (tie)
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 515
- Unemployment rate: 1.1 percent
- Median household income: $139,750
The small town of Fulton is tied for first on our list with a low unemployment and crime rate, and a variety of housing options, including spacious ranch, farmhouse, and Colonial style homes on large lots.
Residents of this small suburb of just over 1,800 enjoy large yards with room to spread out, and a close knit community. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts are just a quick drive away from hiking, fishing, or boating at the Patuxent River.
3. Ellicott City
Key Stats:
- High school graduation rate: 95 percent
- Median household income: $118,985
- Median home price: $514,300
The sizeable suburb of Ellicott City earns the third place spot on our list with plenty of amenities, modest townhomes, and sprawling ranch, Colonial, and craftsman style homes.
Residents can grab fresh local produce at the Ellicott City Old Town Market, or spend the day boating, fishing, and hiking at Centennial Park. Plan a camping trip at Patapsco Valley State Park or stroll down Main Street and stop in local eateries, boutiques, and specialty stores.
4. Towson
Key Stats:
- Average commute time: 25 minutes
- Total amenities: 5,930
The quaint but lively college town of Towson earns the fourth place spot on our list. Home buyers will find a variety of options, from chic modern condos to spacious Colonial and farmhouse style homes.
Spend a day on the lake at scenic Robert E. Lee Park, or hit the links at the Country Club of Maryland. Downtown Towson is full of local shops and restaurants, and residents can shop brand name retailers at the Towson Town Center.
5. Annapolis
Key Stats:
- Average commute time: 27 minutes
- Total amenities: 7,446
The charming coastal city of Annapolis has plenty of options for home buyers. Chic modern condos and townhomes are common, as are Cape Cod, cottage, and Colonial style homes, some with waterfront views.
Arts and culture enthusiasts will feel right at home with live performances at the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater, exhibits at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, and lively events like the First Sundays Arts Festival. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts can get their fix at numerous waterfront green spaces like Truxtun Park. Local dining and shopping options are available in abundance.
6. Jarrettsville
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 1,267
- High school graduation rate: 96 percent
Home buyers searching for the perfect spacious ranch, farmhouse, or Colonial style home on a large lot will have their pick in the small Baltimore suburb of Jarrettsville.
Grab a bite to eat at one of the locally owned restaurants in downtown Jarrettsville or stop in and shop at specialty stores. The nearby Ladew Topiary Gardens and historic mansion are just a quick drive away.
7. Sykesville
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 629
- Unemployment rate: 2.9 percent
The scenic suburb of Sykesville comes in seventh on our list of the best Baltimore suburbs to live in with low crime and unemployment rates. Home buyers will find modest ranch style homes, and spacious Colonial houses on large lots.
Get back to nature at the Hugg-Thomas Wildlife Management Area, or enjoy a picnic at Millard Cooper Park. A number of local pubs, cafes, and restaurants are available in downtown Sykesville on Main Street.
8. Arnold
Key Stats:
- Unemployment rate: 4.5 percent
- Median household income: $101,848
- High school graduation rate: 95 percent
The riverside town of Arnold earns the eighth place spot on our list of the best Baltimore suburbs. Home buyers have their pick of waterfront condos, stately Colonials, and charming craftsman style homes.
Enjoy a day of boating or fishing at one of Arnold’s numerous marinas, or enjoy a picnic by the water in Twin Oaks Park. Golf enthusiasts can hit the links at the 18-hole Bay Hills Golf Club.
9. Cockeysville (tie)
Key Stats:
- Average commute time: 26 minutes
- Total amenities: 1,476
Cockeysville is tied for ninth on our list with plenty of amenities and a variety of housing options. Modern townhomes, stately Colonials, and sprawling Tudor and farmhouse style homes are common.
Foodies can get their fix at the numerous local restaurants on York Street, while golf enthusiasts will flock to the Fox Hollow Golf Course. Scenic trails along the Loch Raven Reservoir are sure to please outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The Hunt Valley Town Center gives residents access to convenient brand name shopping.
9. Savage (tie)
Key Stats:
- Median rent price: $1,346
- Unemployment rate: 5.3 percent
The small town of Savage rounds out our list of the best Baltimore suburbs. Home buyers will find plenty of modern townhomes and spacious craftsman style houses.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will love hiking and picnicking along the Little Patuxent River at Savage Park. The historic Savage Mill houses a number of unique local retailers selling art, one-of-a-kind gifts, home décor, books, and more.
Our Methodology
To figure out which Baltimore suburbs would make the cut, we took a look at the following criteria:
- Amenities per capita
- Standard of living (cost of living, median home value, median rent, median household income, and high school graduation rate)
- Total crimes per 100k
- Unemployment rate
- Average commute time
We ranked each suburb in the above categories and averaged the scores. The suburbs with the lowest overall scores made our list of the best Baltimore suburbs to live in.
For this list, we sourced data from the U.S. Census and
AreaVibes.
To see how the rest of the suburbs we ranked measured up, check out the table below:
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