Annapolis's standout: natural-hazard risk is low. Overall it grades C+, ranked 176th of 259 in Maryland. The median household earns $114K and CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 83% of the country. Its weakest subject is cost of living: homes are expensive, about $622K for a typical one and 6.3 times the Baltimore metro’s $99K median household income. History is its standout character grade: an A, better than 95% of U.S. towns, with 24 places on the National Register. Annapolis’ violent crime rate is 7.1 per 1,000 residents, against 2.3 in Maryland’s towns and 1.6 across U.S. towns. Annapolis is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 97% of U.S. towns. Its National Register listings include Colonial Annapolis Historic District and Hammond-Harwood House.

StrongestA⁺Hazard risk A⁺Walkability AHistoryWeakestDCost of living DSafety

What makes Annapolis stand out

Where Annapolis beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

Colonial Annapolis Historic District

HistoryA

Settled in 1649

A history going back 377 years.

Natural hazardsA⁺

Very low risk of storm and flood damage

FEMA National Risk Index.

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Annapolis7.1

Maryland3.7

U.S.3.3

Worth knowing · SafetyD

92% more violent crime than MD

FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.

Colonial Annapolis Historic District · National Register of Historic Places

Annapolis’s story

377 years in pictures

Colonial Annapolis Historic District is one of 7 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1649, comes before those of 99% of the Maryland towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 2,260 in 1820, 40,812 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1743 and 5 maps from 1892 on.

24 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1649Annapolis is settled

Explore the history →

How Annapolis grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Maryland), ordered by how far Annapolis is from typical.

How grading works

Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 1% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA⁺Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 14.2 of 20; 9.4% of households have no car; 7.3% of workers walk, bike or ride transitA⁺Open →Cost of livingDOpen →SafetyDOpen →Jobs & income24,350 jobs based hereA⁻Open →HealthLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center 2 miles awayA⁻Open →SchoolsB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors4 miles of trails; 4% conserved landBOpen →History50 notable people born hereAOpen →Civic life8.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market28 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 43.0; 54% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

White House and 270 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Annapolis. Close and well known come first.

All 305 attractions →

Big draw29 mi National park siteWhite House311K visitors a year

Big draw29 mi National MemorialWashington Monument204K visitors a year

Big draw31 mi LandmarkArlington National Cemetery

Big draw30 mi LandmarkUnited States Triumphal Arch

Big draw29 mi MuseumSmithsonian Institution30.0M visitors a year

Big draw20 mi Stadium & arenaNorthwest Stadium

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

White House: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade. To see his entire port, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Washington Monument: Oren Rozen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arlington National Cemetery: Protoant, Public domain · United States Triumphal Arch: Hstoops, CC0 · Smithsonian Institution: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer, Public domain · Northwest Stadium: Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0

Getting set up

Moving to Annapolis: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Annapolis, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerBaltimore Gas & Electric20.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterCity of Annapolis water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpBy addressTown pickup · day by addressTown site

SchoolsAnne Arundel County Public SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn Maryland you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereAnne Arundel County Board of ElectionsAnne Arundel County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2023

ZIP codes21403, 2140121403 52% · 21401 47%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Mar 11, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Annapolis.

Annapolis draws workers from Baltimore and beyond, but it has homes that cost more against local pay than most of Maryland and has a long record of flood insurance claims.

Work & commuteJobs & income grade A⁻

About one in five working residents works right in Annapolis

24,350 jobs are based in Annapolis, 1.6 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in.

Most working residents leave Annapolis for work: only 19% work in town. 21% of Annapolis workers work from home. The top destinations are Parole (12%), Washington (6%) and Baltimore (5%).

19%work in town

	Annapolis	Maryland towns	U.S. towns
Working residents who work in town	19%	3.1%	8%
Work from home	21%	18%	11%
Median household income	$114,000	$113,000	$80,000
Average trip to work	30 minutes	32 minutes	25 minutes

Where working residents work

In Annapolis19%

Parole12%

Washington6%

Baltimore5%

Columbia2%

17 mi

median commute distance

24,350

jobs based in Annapolis

A job hub

jobs vs. working residents

A+

Walkability grade: more walkable than 97% of U.S. towns

Full pageAnnapolis’ work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here24,350 jobs based here · A job hub Where people work19% work in Annapolis Commute times30 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 17 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

SchoolsB⁻

Public schools in Annapolis fall behind 52% of Maryland districts

Its public schools are run by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Three of its 18 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.

48%of MD districts it outscoresB⁻School Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Wiley H. Bates MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8	Grades 6–8	707	B⁺
Phoenix AcademyLargest public high schoolGrades 6–12	Grades 6–12	64	D
West Annapolis ElementaryTop results in townGrades K–5	Grades K–5	234	A⁻

Full pageAnnapolis’ schools pageOpen the page

The districtsAnne Arundel County Public Schools Vs. the neighborsBehind its 3 graded neighbors Every school18 schools · Monarch Academy Annapolis ES Questions“Are Annapolis’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within MD on state tests and graduation

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A⁺

Annapolis faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

127 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 13 properties have flooded more than once.

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 99% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 127 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Annapolis.

1risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingHurricanesHeat waves

127

paid flood claims since 1978

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageAnnapolis’ hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesVery low risk Flood claims127 paid flood claims · Since 1978 Past disasters5 federal disasters · Paid out in Annapolis Get ready3.6 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

SafetyD

More crime per resident in Annapolis than in 90% of U.S. towns

Reported crimes fell from 1,227 to 854 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

Within Maryland, it does better than 31% of towns.

10%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Annapolis7.1

Maryland3.7

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Annapolis13.9

Maryland18.5

U.S.15.5

10th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

31st

percentile among MD towns

287

violent crimes reported in 2025

567

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageAnnapolis’ safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type7.1 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Vs. the neighbors3 bordering towns Questions“Is Annapolis, MD safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

HousingCost of living grade D

Annapolis’ grade for cost of living is a D

At 6.3 years of the Baltimore metro’s $99K median household income, the typical home (about $622K) costs more against local pay than in 93% of Maryland towns; that ratio is one input to its D for cost of living.

Annapolis’ median rent is $1,860 a month. The typical Annapolis home is worth about $622,000, up 2.4% in a year, 46% above the Maryland typical home. 62% of households own their home in Annapolis.

$622KZillow home value

	Annapolis	Maryland towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	62%	74%	73%
Median rent	$1,860 a month	$1,809 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Annapolis$622K

Maryland$425K

Market temperature

days on market

100.8%

sale-to-list price

+2.4%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageAnnapolis’ housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 2.4% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 5.5 years of income Rents$1,860 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsAhead of 1 of its 2 graded neighbors

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

HealthA⁻

Annapolis’ grade for health is an A−

Against the 6,625 U.S. towns with household incomes like Annapolis’s, it is healthier than 68%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.

Annapolis beats the Maryland average on 11 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0.

83%healthier than U.S. townsA⁻Health Grade

	Annapolis	Maryland towns	U.S. towns
Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES)	9.6%	11%	14%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)	14%	15%	17%
Get no exercise (CDC PLACES)	21%	23%	25%
Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES)	12%	12%	14%

32 measures vs. Maryland

11 better21 too close to call0 worse

What stands out	Annapolis	MD
Fewer adults with COPD	4.9%	5.9%
Fewer adults with diabetes	10.4%	12.5%

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

2 mi away · emergency room

None

primary care, dental or mental-health shortage

68th

percentile among MD towns

Full pageAnnapolis’ health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsMore binge drinkers Hospitals & doctors nearby2 miles to an ER · Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center How adults are doingFewer adults lacking emotional support Every CDC estimateBetter than MD on 11 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

OutdoorsB

Annapolis has set aside 3.9% of its land for conservation

4.3 miles of trail in 7 parks and preserves. The biggest place to walk is Truxton Park, 69 acres with 1.8 miles of trail.

#124for trails in MD

	Annapolis	Maryland towns	U.S. towns
Conserved land	3.9%	9.5%	4.3%
Miles of trail per square mile	0.5 miles per square mile	0.6	0.4

3.9%

conserved · 202 of 5,144 acres

4.3 mi

of trails · 0.5 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Truxton Park	1.8 mi	69
2. Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park at Back Creek	0.5 mi	13
3. St. Luke's Nature Park	—	3

Full pageAnnapolis’ outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map4.3 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk1.8 miles of trail · Truxton Park Conserved land3.9% conserved · 202 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Annapolis?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

Climate

Annapolis has four seasons and pleasant summers

Annapolis has mild winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 88°, January nights drop to 28° and about 19 inches of snow falls in a winter.

19″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter30–46°

Spring46–65°

Summer68–86°

Fall51–68°

Nov 13

typical first frost

Mar 27

typical last frost

+1.6°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageAnnapolis’ climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 88°, January lows 28°Rain & snow19″ of snow a winter · 45 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingBoth heating and cooling Then and now+1.6° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Annapolis

20pages on Annapolis

The big questions

SchoolsB⁻Behind 52% of MD districts · 18 schools SafetyD7.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA⁻Better than MD on 11 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingD$622K typical home · up 2.4% in a year Work & commuteA⁻$114K median household income · 24,350 jobs here Natural hazardsA⁺FEMA risk higher than 1% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsB4 mi of trails · 4% conserved land PlacesAttractions305 nearby · Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium under 1 mi LibraryBAnnapolis Regional Library CollegesUnited States Naval Academy, in town

The story

HistoryASettled 1649 · 24 on the National Register Famous people50 born in Annapolis Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 82 residents Climate88° summer highs · 19″ of snow

Day to day

News14 recent stories about Annapolis WeatherHandbookZIP code 21401, 21402, 21403 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

4 within 15 miles of the center of Annapolis

United States Naval AcademyUniversity or college · Public · AnnapolisIn town St. John's CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · AnnapolisIn town$40,684 tuition Anne Arundel Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Arnold5.4 mi$4,322 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Annapolis residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Maryland.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

College town

United States Naval Academy calls Annapolis home

2 colleges in town.

United States Naval Academy4,465 students on campus

Admission: 9%
Net price: —
Graduate: 93%

St. John's College533 students on campus

Admission: 55%
Net price: $45,597
Graduate: 71%

College Scorecard · IPEDS

Landmarks

24 places in Annapolis on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Colonial Annapolis Historic DistrictNational Historic Landmark

Hammond-Harwood HouseBuilt 1774 · National Historic Landmark

Maryland StatehouseBuilt 1772 · National Historic Landmark

Brice HouseBuilt 1766 · National Historic Landmark

Famous people from Annapolis

50 notable people were born in Annapolis.

See all 50 →

Barbara KingsolverAmerican author, poet and essayist · born 1955

James M. CainAmerican novelist, short story writer, journalist · 1892–1977

Charles Carroll of CarrolltonAmerican planter and signatory of the Declaration of Independence · 1737–1832

Debbie MeyerAmerican swimmer · born 1952

Travis PastranaAmerican professional motorsports competitor and stunt performer · born 1983

Chase StokesAmerican actor · born 1992

About Annapolis

Capital city of Maryland, United States

Official town website ↗

Annapolis ( ə-NAP-əl-iss) is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the county seat of Anne Arundel County and its only incorporated city. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, Annapolis is a historic city with a strong maritime culture. It is 25 miles (40 km) south of Baltimore and about 30 miles (50 km) east of Washington, D.C., forming part of the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The 2020 census recorded its population as 40,812, an increase of 6.3% since 2010. This city served as the seat of the Confederation Congress, formerly the Second Continental Congress, and temporary national capital of the United States in 1783–1784. At that time, Gene…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1649
Area: 8.1 sq mi
Elevation: 39 ft
ZIP code: 21401, 21402, 21403
Area code: 410, 443

Annapolis’s neighbors

3 towns share a border with Annapolis.

Explore the map →

Annapolis NeckParoleNaval AcademyAnnapolis

Annapolis Neck

S · 2% of Annapolis workers commute here

Visit

Parole

NW · 12% of Annapolis workers commute here

Visit

Naval Academy

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	MD rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Annapolis	#176	C⁺	D	D	B⁻	A⁻
Annapolis Neck	#112	B⁺	D	—	B⁻	A
Parole	#99	A⁻	D	—	B⁻	A
Naval Academy	—	—	—	—	B⁻	A⁻

Annapolis Neck, Parole and Naval Academy report no FBI crime data of their own. Naval Academy isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Annapolis with a neighbor →

Questions about Annapolis

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Annapolis, MD a good place to live?

Annapolis grades C+ overall, better than 42% of U.S. towns and #176 of 259 in Maryland. It grades A− for health, D for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Annapolis, MD safe?

Within Maryland, it does better than 31% of towns.

Is Annapolis, MD expensive?

Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D.

What is Annapolis, MD known for?

50 notable people were born here, including Barbara Kingsolver and James M. Cain.

Post to Annapolis

Check your email

AnnapolisMD

What should you know before moving to Annapolis?

What makes Annapolis stand out

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

377 years in pictures

How Annapolis grades

White House and 270 more within 40 miles

Moving to Annapolis: who provides what

The data

About one in five working residents works right in Annapolis

Where working residents work

Public schools in Annapolis fall behind 52% of Maryland districts

Annapolis faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

More crime per resident in Annapolis than in 90% of U.S. towns

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Annapolis’ grade for cost of living is a D

Typical home value

Annapolis’ grade for health is an A−

Annapolis has set aside 3.9% of its land for conservation

Annapolis has four seasons and pleasant summers

Typical low → high °F

Everything we know about Annapolis

Colleges nearby

United States Naval Academy calls Annapolis home

Landmarks

Famous people from Annapolis

About Annapolis

Annapolis’s neighbors

Questions about Annapolis