MARYLAND — Six towns in Maryland are among the 250 best places to live, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report that looks at value, desirability, job markets and the quality of life in U.S. cities.
Those in Maryland named to the Best Places to Live In the U.S. in 2026-27 are:
Ellicott City
Statewide ranking: 1
Nationwide ranking: 41
Population: 77,975
Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
Bethesda
Statewide ranking: 2
Nationwide ranking: 50
Population: 74,788
Average Commute Time: 28 minutes
Columbia
Statewide ranking: 3
Nationwide ranking: 189
Population: 106,578
Average Commute Time: 24 minutes
Rockville
Statewide ranking: 4
Nationwide ranking: 193
Population: 69,958
Average Commute Time: 29 minutes
Towson
Statewide ranking: 5
Nationwide ranking: 211
Population: 62,751
Average Commute Time: 23 minutes
Bowie
Statewide ranking: 6
Nationwide ranking: 212
Population: 57,176
Average Commute Time: 32 minutes
Germantown
Statewide ranking: 7
Nationwide ranking: 275
Population: 91,567
Average Commute Time: 29 minutes
Gaithersburg
Statewide ranking: 8
Nationwide ranking: 383
Population: 73,225
Average Commute Time: 25 minutes
Frederick
Statewide ranking: 9
Nationwide ranking: 477
Population: 89,273
Average Commute Time: 21 minutes
Silver Spring
Statewide ranking: 10
Nationwide ranking: 526
Population: 82,952
Average Commute Time: 32 minutes
Lexington Park
Statewide ranking: 11
Nationwide ranking: 562
Population: 13,460
Average Commute Time: 17 minutes
Hyattsville
Statewide ranking: 12
Nationwide ranking: 632
Population: 23,949
Average Commute Time: 34 minutes
Hagerstown
Statewide ranking: 13
Nationwide ranking: 658
Population: 45,379
Average Commute Time: 18 minutes
Salisbury
Statewide ranking: 14
Nationwide ranking: 675
Population: 34,950
Average Commute Time: 16 minutes
Baltimore
Statewide ranking: 15
Nationwide ranking: 814
Population: 571,461
Average Commute Time: 24 minutes
U.S. News bases its selections on a public survey that asked thousands of U.S. residents what they consider important in choosing a place to live and its own reporting, as well as data from the Labor Bureau, Census Bureau, FBI, FEMA and NOAA.
“As prices of everyday goods continue to rise, consumers are considering affordability as a top priority when choosing a place to live,” Erika Giovanetti, consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said in a news release. “While U.S. News’ consumer survey indicated that quality of life and affordability were close in importance, cost-of-living concerns resulted in many Americans putting what they can afford above their aspirations.”
For the first time in the ranking’s history, two neighboring suburbs secured the No. 1 and No. 2 placements. Just outside of Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana, ranks No. 1 due to its high scores in desirability, affordability and job market. At No. 2, Fishers scored high in affordability and quality of life, and for its strong job market.
Texas had a strong showing in the top 10 due to high affordability scores, with four new cities making the list. Flower Mound and Frisco, both Dallas suburbs, secured the No. 3 and No. 9 spots, respectively.
Flower Mound's high ranking was boosted by strong job market, desirability and affordability scores. Frisco performed well in desirability and quality of life. Leander ranked No. 8, benefiting from strong desirability and job market scores. Finally, Sugar Land jumped eight spots to No. 10, primarily driven by high desirability scores.
Other top-10 appearances include Ankeny, Iowa (No. 4); Johns Creek, Georgia (No. 5); Hoover, Alabama (No. 6); and Rochester Hills, Michigan (No. 7).
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