2 MD Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Ranking Says

MARYLAND — Two Maryland cities are among the top 150 places to live, U.S. News & World Report said in a new ranking released Tuesday.

The Maryland cities named to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the U.S. list include:

• Baltimore (No. 118)
• Salisbury (No. 126)

The editors applauded Baltimore's architecture and diverse neighborhoods like Little Italy and Greektown. They further cheered Charm City's cost of living compared to nearby Washington, D.C. Baltimore's cultural scene drew praise with its Hippodrome Theatre, Artscape festival and professional sporting venues.

Baltimore was also ranked No. 54 on the Best Places to Retire List.

"Baltimore doesn't have as many famous tourist attractions as nearby metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and residents like it that way," U.S. News said. "The Baltimore metropolitan area has a population of nearly 2.8 million, but it still has a small-town feel. Locals like to say that you can't go anywhere in 'Smalltimore' without seeing someone you know."

Salisbury's "small-town feel" also pleased U.S. News. Rankers appreciated the low housing costs, the annual marathon and the zoo in "The Crossroads of Delmarva."

Salisbury landed at No. 46 on the Best Places to Retire List.

"Though it is home to Salisbury University and draws major events such as the National Folk Festival, a 15-minute drive from the heart of downtown will take you to the farm fields of surrounding Wicomico County," U.S. News said. "It is a melting pot of college students, retirees and families who might all be seen together enjoying a Saturday night at a microbrewery or watching a minor league baseball game."

Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life, U.S. News said. A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

"The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place," Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a press release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News adjusted its scoring weights for stronger considerations of a city's value and job market. A town's quality of life and desirability were also considered. The measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

"Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year's rankings," Giovanetti said. "While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city's value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live."

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used to develop this year's list.