MD Communities Ranked Best Places To Live For Older Adults

Several communities in Maryland are among the best places to live for older adults, according to new analyses of factors affecting quality of life.

The AARP released its 2025 rankings of the top communities in the country for older adults, considering factors such as affordable housing, job market and walkability, and one Northern Virginia city was named the best large city for seniors nationwide.

In all, five Maryland communities made this year's rankings, which were separated into four categories by population size.

The top spots for each category went to San Francisco (very large); Arlington County, Virginia (large); Cliffside Park, New Jersey (midsize); and Great Neck Plaza, New York (small).

For each location, AARP's Livability Index platform measured 61 indicators across seven different categories of livability: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity.

"There isn't one size or one type of community that fits all," said Rodney Harrell, one of the creators of the index and AARP's vice president of family, home and community. "It's about knowing how well your community will work for you today and into the future."

Montgomery County came in at No. 2 on the list in the very large communities category — places with a population of more than 500,000 — and was outranked only by San Francisco, California.

In the large communities category — places with a population from 100,000 to 499,999 — Howard County made the list for the first time, coming in at No. 15.

Rockville and Gaithersburg were each ranked among midsize communities, or places with a population from 25,000 to 99,999. The cities placed No. 5 and No. 15, respectively.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County continued to be represented in the small communities category for places with a population from 5,000 to 24,999. Takoma Park, a city with just under 18,000 people, ranked 7th.

See the full rankings.