Best Places To Live, Work, Play In MD: 2025 Recap

Some of the best places to live in the country are towns and cities in Maryland, according to a handful of national rankings released in 2025 that look at quality of life indicators.

There is no single quality that makes a town or city a great place to live. High-quality schools, hospitals and medical facilities, and a robust cultural and dining scene all matter. So do good jobs and places to play and have fun.

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists on the best places to live.

Read more about why Maryland's cities and towns were mentioned.

• U.S. News & World Report Best Places To Live
• U.S. News & World Report Best States
• Niche Best Places To Live
• County Health Rankings & Roadmap’s Safest Suburbs
• 50 Wealthiest Suburbs
• Cheapest Homes By State

Generally speaking, great workplaces are those where employees feel respected and valued, have growth opportunities and competitive salaries, and work–life balance is more than a slogan. Here’s where various Maryland employers rank in issues that matter to their workers:

• Fortune’s Best Small And Medium-Size Companies
• Forbes Best Employers By State
• Forbes Best Employers For New Grads

There are also plenty of places to play and relax in Maryland, according to lists from publications, review sites and other sources.

• U.S. News & World Report’s Best Water Parks

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• Forbes Names 20 Colleges ‘New Ivies’; Says Employers Prefer Them

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Money, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists. Read more about why Maryland’s cities and towns were mentioned in these rankings:

• U.S. News Best Places To Live
• U.S. News Best Best States
• Niche Best Places To Live
• U.S. News Safest Communities

Rankings also came from other sources:

• Wallet Hub Best States For Families

Good jobs, whether at one of the country’s fastest-growing startups or a mid-sized or large company, also make communities more livable. Read more:

• Forbes Best Employers By State

Maryland also got mentions in rankings of places for a getaway or vacation. Read more:

• Travel + Leisure's 10 Best Mid-Atlantic Resorts

Also, a popular beach in Maryland is one of the best on the East Coast by Condé Nast Traveler. Read more:

• The 14 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast