Maryland : Safety by City
- Annapolis
- Baltimore
- Clinton
- Ellicott City
- Frederick
- Germantown & Gaithersburg
- Hagerstown
- Laurel
- Ocean City
- Salisbury
- Silver Spring
- Thurmont
- Waldorf
Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state that is bounded on its north and east by Delaware, on its north by Pennsylvania, and on its east by the Atlantic ocean.
It is the 7th state in the United States, and its nickname is “The Old Line State”, though it is often called “America in miniature”.
In total, there are over 6 million people living in Maryland, and the biggest and the most populated city is Baltimore.
Maryland was named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England, whose husband, King Charles I, made Maryland one of the colonies.
Officially, Maryland became a colony in 1634.
Warnings & Dangers in Maryland
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Among all 50 states in the United States, it has the twentieth-lowest property crime rate and the eleventh-highest violent crime rate. The most dangerous cities in Maryland are Ocean City, Elkton, Cumberland, Baltimore, and Hyattsville.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Transportation in Maryland is unsafe and unreliable, especially in some cities at night. For example, it is not recommended to travel solo at night in Baltimore because of the high risk of muggings, pickpockets, and thefts.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpockets are a recurring concern in the state of Maryland, especially in some areas and cities. Pickpockets are especially common on public transport during rush hour. If you travel by train or bus, make sure to keep track of your personal belongings and not leave them unattended.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Hurricanes and floods may happen in Maryland, but they do not happen very often. The most common natural disaster in the state of Maryland is a tropical storm that is characterized by strong winds and flooding. However, according to statistics, serious tropical storms happen in Maryland every 15 years.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Mugging is defined as an act of attacking and robbing someone in public. The chances of being mugged or kidnapped in Maryland exist in some areas and cities. For example, Baltimore is known for its high violent street crime in certain areas of the city, but these areas can be avoided.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
The state of Maryland has not been the target of any terrorist attacks recently, but they should not be ruled out completely. If you travel to Maryland, it is still important to be aware of the surroundings, especially in the highly populated cities and areas of the state.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Unfortunately, there are many people in Maryland trying to scam you. The scam is especially common among homeless people, who can be quite aggressive if you do not give them money. When you visit towns and cities in Maryland, especially Baltimore, you need to be aware of people trying to distract you.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
In general, Maryland is safe for solo female travelers. To minimize the risk of anything going wrong, you should follow basic precaution measures. All you need to do if you are a woman, and you decided to travel by yourself is to act as you would in any other country, state, or town.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
According to a recent report by the National Resources Defense Council, the quality of tap water in Maryland is among the lowest quality in the United States. The tap water in most areas of Maryland contains many predominant chemicals, including arsenic, nitrates, and trihalomethanes. This makes the tap water in Maryland not drinkable.
Safest Places to Visit in Maryland
Here is a list of the safest and most interesting places in Maryland that are worth visiting.
Deep Creek Lake
It is a unique four-season tourist destination carved in the mountains of the western part of Maryland.
It is considered the largest freshwater lake in the state that covers almost 3,900 acres of land with over 65 miles of shoreline.
It is a popular travel destination for outdoor lovers, no matter the season.
In the summer, you can try such outdoor activities as boating or fishing.
In the fall, you can experience the fantastic Autumn Glory Festival in Oakland.
Winter is the perfect season for ski lovers who can enjoy this outdoor activity at Wisp resort.
If you decide to visit Deep Creek Lake in spring, there are also many things to do, including hiking, fishing, and cycling.
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary – an area where a river with fresh water meets the ocean with saltwater.
It is the third-largest estuary in the world and the largest in the United States.
Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maryland with a large number of ways to experience this location.
There are many things to do and numerous attractions to see in Chesapeake Bay.
You can do hunting on the Eastern Shore, take a Chesapeake Bay storyteller tour, visit one of the historic Chesapeake Bay towns, and do other things.
Frederick
The small town of Frederick is one of the most beautiful towns in Maryland, and it will definitely impress fans of antiques.
Fredrick was founded in the 18th century and is known for its breathtaking historic atmosphere.
It has many historic homes that are worth visiting, and one of the most famous is the Barbara Fritchie House.
Another popular tourist place in Frederick is Market Street that is perfect for antique souvenir shopping.
Frederick is also home to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums, and Gambrill State Park.
Swallow Falls State Park
Swallow Falls State Park is located outside of Oakland, Maryland.
It is known for being one of the most breathtaking sceneries and waterfalls in the country.
It is a popular destination for those who like spending time outdoors and in nature.
The park features numerous trails that take you to magnificent waterfalls, one of which is 50 feet tall.
It is a wonderful place for spending a day biking, hiking, or exploring.
Swallow Falls State Park is also popular for its picnic areas and wildlife that includes such unique animals as bobcat, turkey, and black bear.
Assateague Island
Assateague Island is known for its amazing 37-mile long beach located close to the capital Washington D.C.
It is less crowded than most beaches in the state of Maryland and Delaware.
This magnificent island is also famous for wild ponies running along the sandy dunes of the island’s shoreline.
The island also has the Dunes Trail that provides you with a wonderful experience, allows you to admire the breathtaking landscape, and listen to the waves of the Atlantic ocean.
Places to Avoid in Maryland
Like any other state, Maryland has places that you should not visit, especially after dark.
Here is a list of some of them:
Baltimore
Baltimore is among the most dangerous cities in Maryland.
Because of its high crime rate, Baltimore is listed in the top 10 most dangerous places in the United States.
According to the statistics in 2020, there have been 109 homicides in the city.
The number of violent crimes in Baltimore is also concerning – there are 18.76 crimes per 1,000 people.
Elkton
Elkton is a town located in Cecil Couty, Maryland.
According to Neighborhood Scout, the violent crime rate in Elkton is higher than the national average.
During a standard year, the rate of crime in this town is 28.84 per 1,000 residents.
Thus, in general, this town is quite dangerous, and the safest place in Elkton is its northwest part.
Ocean City
You can see Ocean City on many “dangerous” lists.
This city is in the 6th percentile for safety, which means that 94% of the American cities and towns are safer than Ocean City.
The rate of crime in Ocean City is 81.60 per 1,000 people, and your chances to become a victim of a crime is 1 in 8 in the eastern areas of the city.
On average, there are about 205 violent crimes in Ocean City a year, and most of them occur in the northeast neighborhoods of the city.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Maryland
If you are traveling to Maryland, you should not forget about travel security and safety considerations.
Follow these 10 top safety tips that will help you make your trip safe and memorable.
- Do some research. Get to know your destination before you arrive. If you are traveling to one of the dangerous cities, make sure to consult with locals for information about the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods. It is also recommended to check the State Department’s website.
- Do not draw attention. Try not to look like a person from out of town. Instead, try to blend in as much as you can to make yourself less vulnerable to crime.
- Make copies of your documents. Make sure to have copies of your driver’s license or any other identification document. Scan these documents to have them on your computer and print out several hard copies.
- Keep your family and friends updated. Check-in regularly with your contacts, so they know where you are and where you are going.
- Make your hotel room a safer place. Even if you are staying in a safe hotel in a safe neighborhood, it is always worth making your hotel room a safer place. Always keep your windows shut and lock and dead-bolt the door of your room.
- Be aware of what is going on around you. Do not get distracted by your surroundings. Make sure to keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially when you are snapping pictures or talking to strangers.
- Do not share your personal information with strangers. It is better not to tell strangers about your traveling plans, accommodation, or other personal details.
- Learn some self-defense techniques. Joining a self-defense class is always a good idea and a great investment, especially if you are traveling to one of the most dangerous places in Maryland, such as Ocean City or Baltimore, for example.
- Project situational awareness. Your body language is important and can prevent you from becoming a target for criminals. Always stay alert, keep your head up, and be aware of the surroundings.
- Hide emergency cash. You never know what can happen to you. For this reason, make sure you have some emergency cash stored in a safe place.
So... How Safe Is Maryland Really?
Maryland maybe not be the safest place or state in the United States, but in general, it is quite safe.
You just need to know what places are safe to visit, and what places and cities in Maryland are better to avoid.
For example, you should be extremely careful when visiting Baltimore, Ocean City, or Elkton, especially some of the neighborhoods in these towns and cities.
However, even though Maryland sees higher violent crime rates than most of the United States, it is a safe place for tourists, if you take proper precautions in certain areas.
How Does Maryland Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 65 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Idaho | 85 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
Since Maryland is the territory of the United States, you need to have a visa to enter the US and visit Maryland. It can be a temporary non-immigration visa, student visa, or immigration visa.
Currency
The currency used in Maryland is the United States Dollar. It is abbreviated as US$ or U.S. Dollar.
Weather
In general, the weather in Maryland is fairly mild with warm and humid summers and cold and snowy winters. Also, year around, it is partly cloudy in Maryland.
Airports
Air traffic in the state of Maryland is centered around Baltimore Airport. It is the largest airport in Maryland that handles almost 10 million passengers per year. Other local airports are Hagerstown Regional Airport and Salisbury - Ocean City - Wicomico Airport.
Travel Insurance
It is worth having travel insurance when you travel to Maryland because it protects you from certain financial risks and losses that might occur while traveling. You can contact a travel agency or insurance company for more information about it.
Maryland Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 4 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 18 | 13 | 7 |
| Low °C | -4 | -3 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 8 | 3 | -1 |
| High °F | 39 | 43 | 54 | 66 | 73 | 81 | 86 | 84 | 77 | 64 | 55 | 45 |
| Low °F | 25 | 27 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 59 | 46 | 37 | 30 |
Maryland - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Annapolis | 73 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Clinton | 82 |
| Ellicott City | 86 |
| Frederick | 78 |
| Germantown & Gaithersburg | 72 |
| Hagerstown | 72 |
| Laurel | 76 |
| Ocean City | 71 |
| Salisbury | 52 |
| Silver Spring | 82 |
| Thurmont | 83 |
| Waldorf | 84 |
Plenty to see but not the safest state
Overall, I think Maryland should have a slightly lower rating on the Safety index. Maybe a 60. Many cities in this state are dangerous or very dangerous – not the entire cities, of course, but decent parts of them – and muggings and pickpocketing is very present in almost all cities here. Pickpockets are present everywhere, not just in crowded areas. If you’re not careful you will find a strange hand in your pocket like I did. Fortunately they didn’t manage to steal anything but it was an unpleasant surprise nonetheless. I know Maryland is big and all and you should expect such things in cities like Baltimore or Cumberland.
Now for the attractions, well, there are plenty of those.
I particularly enjoyed the National Aquarium which has a 5 story Tropical Rain Forest that can be explored in its full glory. It’s something very special – just like you are there. They have different environments presented like this, making you feel like you are immersed in them. I’m telling you, this is one of the best aquariums in the country.
The American Visionary Art Museum is one you should visit. It has many surprising and interesting pieces of art, made by mostly local (but also from artists from around the globe) artists whose creativity is surely something else. Even the main building is a work of art that will surprise you.
B & O Railroad Museum is one of Baltimore’s major attractions and will be a real treat for anyone interested in trains. This museum has a LOT of locomotives and coaches, all working. You can easily stay for a whole day here if you’re passionate about this stuff.
A few other attractions that I found interesting are Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum or the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. You can find something for anyone in Maryland.
Very good
Basically this is a review of Baltimore. If Baltimore somehow ceased to exist, all the risks would be labeled low. Even the tap water. Maryland is one of the safest states. However, it is also quite expensive. There isn’t much to do other than visiting Annapolis, ocean city, and perhaps the Appalachian or some river hikes.
Did you notice how you said the state is quite expensive, but you also said there isn’t much to do? I swear to you Maryland has to be the ONLY state that is expensive despite having high crime and nothing to do there that doesn’t cost a great deal of money. There IS very high crime in areas outside of DC, as I lived and grew up in that area and houses have bars on all the windows and our things would always get stolen. It was so ridiculous.