Maryland’s Safest Cities of 2025

Alina Bradford
Cathy Habas
Mar 17, 2025
Icon Time To Read3 min read
Icon CheckEdited ByKit Smith
Icon CheckData Analysis ByDaniel Delgado

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

11th annual Safest Cities report banner

Here are the 5 Safest Cities in Maryland for 2025

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Maryland is the number-one most concerned state when it comes to gun violence, according to our latest State of Safety survey. However, a lower percentage of Marylanders said they experienced gun violence in the eight months prior to our survey compared to the previous year, so it's possible that crime is trending in a more peaceful direction in The Old Line State.

Maryland's five safest cities have an average violent crime rate of 1.4 incidents per 1,000 people, while the property crime average falls at 4.1 incidents per 1,000 people. 

In this report

Download the full list of cities in your state
Enter your email to get the full list with crime stats.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2023.


Do people feel safe in Maryland? Survey insights for 2025

Bar chart comparing how safe Maryland residents feel, with 40% feeling safe versus the 48% national average.

Bar chart comparing how safe Maryland residents feel, with 40% feeling safe versus the 48% national average. Image: SafeWise

We didn't have enough data to accurately calculate statewide crime rates for our 2025 report. However, our annual State of Safety survey offers a glimpse into Marylanders' attitudes and first-hand experiences with crime.

Four in 10 Maryland residents feels safe in the state, which is up from 32% the previous year. Still, this confidence level falls below the national average of 48%. 

Marylanders also show increasing optimism when asked if crime is decreasing. About 21% said yes—up from 6% the previous year. This aligns with their experiences with violent crime, property crime, and gun violence, all of which declined year over year. Only package theft remains a growing threat. 

Find safety and security resources in Maryland.

Property crime in Maryland: Fear vs. reality

Marylanders are more likely to experience package theft than many other Americans, but they worry about it less than average. And while package theft seems to be on the rise in The Old Line State, property crime experiences have fallen slightly among our survey respondents. 

  • 1 in 2 survey respondents (50%). said they're highly concerned about package theft on a regular basis, making it the least worrisome crime for Marylanders (US 52%).
  • 42% of the Maryland residents we surveyed said they had experienced a package theft in the 8 months prior to our survey, up from 33% the previous year (US 37%).
  • Only six other states reported a higher level of package theft experiences.
  • Marylanders reported fewer experiences with property crime than the previous year—down from 26% to 24%.
  • The percentage of Maryland residents concerned about property crime increased from 49% to 54% year over year (US 54%).
  • Marylanders prefer to protect their property with security cameras (51%) and security systems (33%). Firearms and guard dogs tie for third at 29% each.
  • 27% of Maryland respondents say they increased security measures in the 8 months prior to the survey (US 37%). That's the second lowest reported level in the country. 
"Someone tried to break into and steal one of my cars from my driveway in the middle of the night."
—Maryland resident*

What security measures do Marylanders use most?

Top security measures used in Maryland: security cameras, security systems, and firearms, compared to national trends.

Top security measures used in Maryland: security cameras, security systems, and firearms, compared to national trends. Image: SafeWise

What crimes are Maryland residents concerned about most?

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Maryland, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates.

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Maryland, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates. Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Maryland: Fear vs. reality

Marylanders were less likely to experience violent crime in the 8 months before our survey compared to the previous year, but their concern increased slightly during the same time period.

  • Concern about violent crime rose by 1 percentage point year over year, with 61% of survey participants saying it's a top worry on a daily basis (US 59%).
  • Marylanders reported less experiences with violent crime (11%) than the nationwide average (14%), a 6-point decrease year over year.
  • High levels of concern don't seem to lead to action in Maryland. Just 27% of respondents say they use some form of personal protection versus 35% nationwide.
  • Marylanders prefer to protect themselves with pepper spray (17%), pocket knives (13%), and firearms (13%). 
"My biggest worry is getting held at gunpoint in an attempted carjacking."
—Maryland resident*

Attitudes about gun violence in Maryland

  • 74% of respondents named gun violence as a safety concern—the highest in the US, which averages 57% nationwide.
  • 9% of Marylanders reported experiencing gun violence in the 8 months prior to our survey, which is a 6 point decrease year over year and the fifth lowest percentage in the US.
  • There were 7 mass shooting incidents in Maryland in 2023, 15 fewer than the previous year.
"I'm always worried that there's going to be a mass shooting at a place I'm visiting. They're rare, which is why it's a low number, but it's not impossible."
—Maryland resident*

*Quotes collected from our latest State of Safety survey.

A closer look at the safest cities in Maryland

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 28 cities met criteria to be considered for ranking—20 more than last year.
  • Ocean Pines is the safest city in Maryland in 2025.
  • None of the safest cities appeared on last year's list.
  • Ocean Pines and Thurmont reported zero murders, rapes, and robberies.
  • 5 total murders were reported in Maryland's five safest cities, and they all occurred in Frostburg
  • Frostburg reported the same number of violent crimes as property crimes (8 each).
  • 84% of the safest cities' aggravated assaults occurred in Brunswick and Hampstead.

The 5 safest cities in Maryland

Map of the safest cities in Maryland for 2025, listing top 5 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data.

Map of the safest cities in Maryland for 2025, listing top 5 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data. Image: SafeWise

Ocean Pines
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    11,708
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.2, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.2, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Frostburg, Maryland
Frostburg
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    6,930
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.2, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.2, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Thurmont, Maryland
Thurmont
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    6,767
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.4, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    4.6, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Brunswick, Maryland
Brunswick
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    8,426
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.1, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    5.8, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hampstead, Maryland
Hampstead
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    6,389
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.0, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    6.9, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

Light Bulb
Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the best security systems—and learn the basics of how to choose a security system

Compare top security systems

Brand
Installation type
Self-monitoring option
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Contract required
Learn more
SimpliSafe
DIY
Icon Yes  LightYes
No
Vivint
Pro
Icon No  LightNo
No *
Cove
DIY
Icon No  LightNo
No *
ADT Shield
Pro
Icon No  LightNo
Yes

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 17, 2025.

  • 2023 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2023 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Plus, she has tested hundreds of pieces of security and safety equipment over the years. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University. Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.” You can view more of Alina's work at alinabradford.com.

Recent Articles

woman talking on phone
How to Cancel SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe doesn’t charge any cancellation fees or make you jump through hoops to stop service....
Cove security system panel in box and yard sign in box
Cove Home Security System Review 2025
Cove DIY home security stands out with customer-first practices and extensive alarm response options to...
sensor light on a residential building
Best Motion Detector Lights of 2025
Check out our round-up of the top five best motion sensor lights of 2025 with...
Man and woman couple wife husband set up surveillance security camera
Best Apartment Security Systems of 2025
SimpliSafe is the best apartment security system with no contracts, wireless equipment, and affordable or...