Best States To Live In 2025: MD Ranked On New Survey

Renowned for its blue crabs, beaches and historic communities, Maryland falls in the middle of the pack among rankings for the best state to live in, a new survey says.

The "Best States to Live In" for 2025 list ranks each of the states based on five key areas: Affordability, Economy, Education & Health, Quality of Life and Safety. A total of 51 indicators of livability across these five categories each are given corresponding weights and graded on a 100-point scale. WalletHub then uses this data to arrive at a state's weighted average.

Maryland came in 34th on the nationwide list released Monday. Experts said Maryland has an overall score of 49.79.

According to WalletHub, Maryland ranked highest in the education and health standings, at 19th among the states.

“When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing prices and job availability," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a news release. "Many states have strong economies, though, so you should also consider a wide variety of other factors, such as how where you live will impact your health and safety, and whether you will have adequate access to activities that you enjoy. If you have children, a robust education system is also key.”

A breakdown of Maryland's score is as follows:

• Affordability: 38
• Economy: 37
• Education and Health: 19
• Quality of Life: 31
• Safety: 30

Read More:

• These MD Restaurants Have Outstanding Wine Programs, Magazine Says
• This Restaurant Makes The Best Burger In MD

• 11 MD Restaurants On 2025 '100 Very Best' List By Washingtonian
• MD Restaurant Nominated For 2025 James Beard Award
• Where To Find MD's Most Charming Restaurant
• This MD Restaurant Named To Yelp's Top 100 In America: New List
• Best Barbecue Joint In MD 2025 Grills Classics: Southern Living

Maryland hosts a variety of tourist attractions, including the country's oldest state capitol in Annapolis; historic waterfront harbors in Havre de Grace, Baltimore and Annapolis, among others; a historic site commemorating the work of abolitionist Harriett Tubman; the Ocean City Boardwalk on the Eastern Shore, and more.

Foodies can indulge in Maryland, as it offers award-winning barbecue and eclectic dishes from James Beard nominees.

Per WalletHub, Maryland has some of the lowest income opportunities but has the fourth-lowest percentage of its population living in poverty.

Here are the top 10 best states to live in, per WalletHub:

1. Massachusetts
2. Idaho
3. New Jersey
4. Wisconsin
5. Minnesota
6. Florida
7. New Hampshire
8. Utah
9. New York
10. Pennsylvania

New Mexico received the lowest ranking on the list, making it the worst state to live in, per WalletHub.

See WalletHub's full list of the "Best States to Live In."