Maryland has a considerably higher violent crime rate compared to the national average but has experienced a decrease over the past decade.
Currently, the state violent crime rate is 4.5 per 1,000 residents compared to a national violent crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 Americans.
That means Maryland is much more dangerous than other states, so you are more likely to be the victim of a property or violent crime.
However, if you are looking to visit and experience all Maryland has to offer, that does not mean safe areas do not exist.
Below is a list of 10 of the safest cities in the state based on crime rates.
Violent crimes are weighted the heaviest with property crime also being a factor.
Keep reading to learn more!
Contents
10 Safest Cities in Maryland
Havre de Grace
Starting our list at number 10, Havre de Grace is a small community that sits on the coast and is a suburban commute from Baltimore, which is where most residents travel for entertainment and work.
This town is considered one of the best in Maryland because of the excellent public schools.
While crime rates are higher than others on this list, they are still considerably lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate is 2.6 per 1,000 residents and the property crime rate is 11.9.
Bowie
Over the past several years, Bowie has maintained its crime rate with an incredibly low violent crime index of 1.0.
However, the property crime rate is significantly higher at 15.2, but still well under the national average.
For this reason, Bowie is number nine on this safest city list.
Bowie is an affluent community and one of the best places to live in the state if you can afford it.
Located as a suburb of D.C., many residents commute in for work and entertainment, but there are plenty of activities to do within Bowie.
Taneytown
Although Taneytown used to be the safest destination in Maryland, there has been a rise in crime over the past several years, which brings us to the number eight spot.
Despite the rise in crime, Taneytown is still safer than most across the state.
This town is comprised of young professionals and families, with good public schools.
Since Taneytown has a small population of around 6,800, there are few entertainment options, so the next closest larger city is Frederick.
Taneytown experiences a violent crime rate of 1.9 and a property crime rate of 9.4.
Thurmont
As with most towns on this list, Thurmont is a small town of around 6,800.
Just like in Taneytown, there are not many activities for residents due to the smaller size.
The town is also comprised of young professionals and is a wonderful place to start a family due to the small-town atmosphere and decent public schools.
Luckily, several festivals occur each year, which livens up the town a bit.
If you are planning to visit, then it is best to come during one of those festivals.
The violent crime rate is 2.2 and the property crime rate is 6.2.
Berlin
Berlin is a tiny town of 4,900 with an incredibly low violent crime rate of 0.6.
However, the town suffers from a property crime rate of 13.8, which is considerably higher than others on this list, which is why the town comes in at number six.
Berlin is best known for its historical events, with many sites within the town limits.
If you are planning to visit a small town in Maryland, this is a beautiful place to go due to the incredibly low violent crime rate.
When visiting, just keep your belongings in sight and you likely will not have any issues.
Mount Airy
With a violent crime rate even lower than Berlin at 0.5, Mount Airy suffers from the same issue as the town above, a high property crime rate of 12.1.
This means that your chance of becoming involved in a violent crime is low, but a property crime issue is more probable if you are not careful.
Generally, this area is considered a great place to live with many families and parks in the area.
Professionals and visitors flock to this town due to the low crime rate.
Centreville
Number four on our list is Centreville, which is an extremely small town located in Queen Anne’s County.
Although this town is small, there are a surprising number of businesses and services for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Many from other areas come here for work and entertainment, so the community is often bustling despite its permanent population.
Also in this town are multiple historical sites, parks, and tree-lined streets.
Additionally, Centreville is situated along a river with a public access boardwalk.
If you are looking to visit a safe place in Maryland with a low violent crime rate of 0.8, a decently low property crime rate of 8.0, and plenty to do, Centreville is an excellent choice.
Glenarden
Coming in at number three on our list is Glenarden, a suburb of D.C.
With a population of only 6,200, it is no wonder the violent crime rate is an impressively low 0.6, and the property crime index is 8.7.
While many residents commute to D.C., this is also a popular place for retirees, so crime continues to remain low.
Hampstead
Boasting a population of just 6,400 residents, Hampstead is in the middle of Maryland.
Due to its small population, it is no surprise that the violent crime rate is just 1.1 and the property crime index is 4.8.
This area is consistently ranked as one of the best places to raise children in the state, mostly due to the high school rankings and low crime rates.
Ocean Pines
Rounding out our list at number one, Ocean Pines is a small waterside community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The town boasts plenty of public waterfront areas with incredible views and thousands of acres of wooded areas.
Although Ocean Pines has a decently low population of around 12,000 residents, there are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors including, hiking, camping, swimming, boarding, and golfing.
Best of all the violent crime rate is only 0.7 and the property crime rate is just 5.9, so you have a low chance of being the victim of a crime in this beautiful community.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Maryland
Check the Weather
During every vacation, you must be prepared for some inclement weather, so take the steps to remain protected from the elements.
While Maryland has four seasons, there can be warm and rainy days in the winter, and chilly days in the summer, so it’s best to check the weather before leaving and pack accordingly.
This is especially important if you are planning to go hiking or camping in the mountains of Western Maryland.
Review All Guides
Before booking that daytime excursion, always check customer reviews.
Understanding what others have to say about a specific trip or company will further ensure you have a smooth and exciting adventure!
Reorganize Your Wallet
Missing wallets are the primary cause of identity theft around the world.
That means you must only bring the cash and cards you are planning to utilize for the day and leave the rest in the hotel room.
Part of reorganizing your wallet is to never bring all your cash, checks, or cards out at the same time, so if an incident occurs, you have backup options.
Also, have copies of your cards in a safe location for easy access in case a problem arises.
Travel Like a Local
When visiting a location, plan your route ahead of time and be aware of your surroundings.
Observe the way locals talk, dress, and interact to ensure no specific actions make you stand out.
If you are an American traveling to Maryland, this is easy since the culture is consistent throughout the country, but those visiting from abroad should take note of the locals.
Also, whether you are an American or from elsewhere, make note of the areas to avoid in Maryland.
Watch Your Belongings on Mass Transit
If you are going to take mass transit into Baltimore or D.C., then you never want to flash cash or valuable items in public.
Men should keep their wallets in their front pockets while women must keep their purses toward the front of their bodies.
Also, never set down your bag or other belongings leave, and return, hoping that the items are still there.
One tip is to always maintain eye contact with your belongings.
Maryland Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Maryland Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Maryland?
The best time to visit marly is between late April through June and late August through October.
During the first period, mean temperatures range from 64F to 73F in June.
The second-period experiences temperatures ranging from 68F to 57F, with the leaves changing in October.
What is the worst time to visit Maryland?
Depending on how well you tolerate the heat, the worst time of the year is late June through the end of August.
In addition to experiencing scorching temperatures and humidity, it is also the most popular time of the year to visit due to the beaches, mountains, and main cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C.
That means you will be dealing with large crowds.
What is the seasonal weather like in Maryland?
Maryland has a variety of climatic conditions with the eastern portion of the state experiencing a humid subtropical climate and the western half with an oceanic climate.
This means that summers are humid and hot while winters are snowy and cold.
Spring is wet and mild, and fall is dry and cool.
Maryland’s location on the Atlantic Ocean greatly influences the climate and the Appalachian Mountains to the west protect it from extreme cold.
My friends are living there and I was able to visit them once or twice a year, it seems like most of the cities there are alike and safe for me.