Best suburbs in Baltimore
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Baltimore. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Baltimore.
#25. Fallston, Maryland
- Median home value: $485,800
- Median rental price: $2,129
- Top schools nearby: Harford Technical High School (grade A), Honeygo Elementary School (grade A−), Fallston High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Oldfields School (grade A+), Grace Classical Academy (grade A), Concordia Preparatory School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#24. Cape St. Claire, Maryland
- Median home value: $460,000
- Median rental price: $1,766
- Top schools nearby: Broadneck High School (grade A), Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (grade A−), Cape St. Claire Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Key School (grade A+), Severn School (grade A+), Indian Creek School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#23. Pleasant Hills, Maryland
- Median home value: $455,100
- Median rental price: $2,693
- Top schools nearby: Harford Technical High School (grade A), Honeygo Elementary School (grade A−), Fallston High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Grace Classical Academy (grade A), Concordia Preparatory School (grade A−), The John Carroll School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
#22. Cockeysville, Maryland
- Median home value: $381,600
- Median rental price: $1,426
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#21. Severna Park, Maryland
- Median home value: $613,500
- Median rental price: $1,543
- Top schools nearby: Severna Park High School (grade A+), Broadneck High School (grade A), Hanover Hills (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Key School (grade A+), Severn School (grade A+), Indian Creek School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#20. White Marsh, Maryland
- Median home value: $365,400
- Median rental price: $1,761
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#19. Eldersburg, Maryland
- Median home value: $460,100
- Median rental price: $1,637
- Top schools nearby: Century High School (grade A), Liberty High School (grade A), Freedom District Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: McDonogh School (grade A+), Garrison Forest School (grade A+), Glenelg Country School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#18. Savage, Maryland
- Median home value: $397,800
- Median rental price: $2,003
- Top schools nearby: Rockburn Elementary School (grade A), Hammond High School (grade A), Hanover Hills (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Spencerville Adventist Academy (grade A), Archbishop Spalding High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#17. Pikesville, Maryland
- Median home value: $397,400
- Median rental price: $1,569
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (grade A), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#16. Perry Hall, Maryland
- Median home value: $311,200
- Median rental price: $1,545
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#15. Arnold, Maryland
- Median home value: $511,600
- Median rental price: $2,128
- Top schools nearby: Severna Park High School (grade A+), Broadneck High School (grade A), Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Key School (grade A+), Severn School (grade A+), Indian Creek School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#14. Sykesville, Maryland
- Median home value: $390,100
- Median rental price: $1,689
- Top schools nearby: Century High School (grade A), Piney Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Sykesville Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Gerstell Academy (grade A), Chapelgate Christian Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#13. Odenton, Maryland
- Median home value: $387,600
- Median rental price: $2,161
- Top schools nearby: Hanover Hills (grade A−), Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (grade A−), Arundel High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Severn School (grade A+), Indian Creek School (grade A+), Rockbridge Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#12. Catonsville, Maryland
- Median home value: $381,000
- Median rental price: $1,625
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (grade A), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Timothy's School (grade A+), McDonogh School (grade A+), The Park School of Baltimore (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#11. Crofton, Maryland
- Median home value: $486,700
- Median rental price: $2,031
- Top schools nearby: South River High School (grade A), Hanover Hills (grade A−), Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Severn School (grade A+), Indian Creek School (grade A+), Rockbridge Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#10. Elkridge, Maryland
- Median home value: $413,200
- Median rental price: $2,027
- Top schools nearby: Rockburn Elementary School (grade A), Howard High School (grade A), Bellows Spring Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Timothy's School (grade A+), Severn School (grade A+), Spencerville Adventist Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#9. Hampton, Maryland
- Median home value: $570,800
- Median rental price: $3,501
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#8. Mays Chapel, Maryland
- Median home value: $461,200
- Median rental price: $1,779
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Timonium, Maryland
- Median home value: $470,400
- Median rental price: $1,540
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#6. North Laurel, Maryland
- Median home value: $431,500
- Median rental price: $1,871
- Top schools nearby: Atholton High School (grade A+), Fulton Elementary School (grade A), Reservoir High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Barrie School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#5. Ilchester, Maryland
- Median home value: $482,500
- Median rental price: $1,876
- Top schools nearby: Rockburn Elementary School (grade A), Ellicott Mills Middle School (grade A), Ilchester Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Timothy's School (grade A+), Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Spencerville Adventist Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#4. Scaggsville, Maryland
- Median home value: $610,000
- Median rental price: $3,096
- Top schools nearby: Atholton High School (grade A+), Pointers Run Elementary School (grade A), Fulton Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#3. Lutherville, Maryland
- Median home value: $401,500
- Median rental price: $1,394
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Technical High School (grade A+), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (grade A), George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Bryn Mawr School (grade A+), Gilman School (grade A+), St. Timothy's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#2. Fulton, Maryland
- Median home value: $732,300
- Median rental price: $2,603
- Top schools nearby: Atholton High School (grade A+), Pointers Run Elementary School (grade A), Fulton Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Glenelg Country School (grade A+), Sandy Spring Friends School (grade A+), Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#1. Ellicott City, Maryland
- Median home value: $617,200
- Median rental price: $1,921
- Top schools nearby: Marriotts Ridge High School (grade A+), Centennial High School (grade A+), Mount Hebron High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Timothy's School (grade A+), McDonogh School (grade A+), The Park School of Baltimore (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.