Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Maryland has a total crime rate of 4,163 per 100,000 residents — 51% above the national average — ranking #46 of 50 US states (safest first), in the highest-crime quartile. Its safest reporting city is Ocean Pines.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 22 reporting cities covering 1,206,623 of Maryland's 6,180,253 residents (20%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
Maryland Crime Overview
In 2024, Maryland reported a total crime rate of 4,163.0 per 100,000 residents — 51% above the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks Maryland #46 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in Maryland is robbery at 3.5x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, Maryland's crime rate decreased by 1.8%.
Within the state, Ocean Pines is the safest city (crime rate: 360), while Elkton has the highest rate (6,318) — a 17.6x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to Maryland, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how Maryland compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in Maryland or most dangerous cities in Maryland.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 11,890 | 985.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 219 | 18.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 611 | 50.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3,961 | 328.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 7,098 | 588.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 38,342 | 3,177.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 4,593 | 380.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 25,781 | 2,136.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7,968 | 660.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding Maryland's Crime Profile
Of Maryland's total crime rate, 23.7% is violent crime and 76.3% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning Maryland has a higher-than-average share of violent offenses.
Maryland's murder rate is 18.2 per 100K, which is 2.9x the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 22 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of Maryland's total rate at 3,178 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in Maryland by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ocean Pines | 12,233 | 359.7 | 32.7 | 96/100 |
| 2 | Havre De Grace | 15,099 | 1,404.1 | 139.1 | 60/100 |
| 3 | Gaithersburg | 69,590 | 1,564.9 | 252.9 | 54/100 |
| 4 | Rockville | 67,285 | 1,673.5 | 150.1 | 50/100 |
| 5 | New Carrolton | 13,312 | 1,938.1 | 293.0 | 42/100 |
| 6 | La Plata | 11,114 | 1,970.5 | 215.9 | 41/100 |
| 7 | Frederick | 88,428 | 2,079.7 | 406.0 | 38/100 |
| 8 | Bel Air | 10,422 | 2,245.3 | 239.9 | 34/100 |
| 9 | Westminster | 20,671 | 2,283.4 | 241.9 | 33/100 |
| 10 | Easton | 17,268 | 2,380.1 | 399.6 | 31/100 |
| 11 | Bowie | 56,929 | 2,473.3 | 193.2 | 29/100 |
| 12 | Aberdeen | 18,635 | 2,629.5 | 595.7 | 26/100 |
| 13 | Annapolis | 40,446 | 2,902.6 | 808.5 | 21/100 |
| 14 | Hagerstown | 43,563 | 3,177.0 | 713.9 | 17/100 |
| 15 | Cambridge | 13,205 | 3,733.4 | 545.3 | 11/100 |
| 16 | Salisbury | 33,205 | 3,960.3 | 954.7 | 9/100 |
| 17 | Hyattsville | 20,506 | 4,028.1 | 687.6 | 8/100 |
| 18 | Cumberland | 18,661 | 4,388.8 | 460.9 | 6/100 |
| 19 | Greenbelt | 24,193 | 5,026.3 | 649.0 | 4/100 |
| 20 | Laurel | 29,209 | 5,255.2 | 393.7 | 3/100 |
| 21 | Baltimore | 566,632 | 5,763.2 | 1,606.2 | 2/100 |
| 22 | Elkton | 16,017 | 6,318.3 | 1,086.4 | 1/100 |
Maryland Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,206,623 | 4,163.0 | 985.4 | 3,177.6 |
| 2023 | 1,197,100 | 4,241.4 | 984.6 | 3,256.9 |
| 2022 | 1,185,989 | 3,649.0 | 1,012.7 | 2,636.3 |
| 2021 | 724,639 | 2,239.6 | 768.7 | 1,470.9 |
| 2020 | 1,048,135 | 3,851.8 | 1,109.9 | 2,741.9 |
| 2019 | 1,057,440 | 4,889.7 | 1,256.8 | 3,632.9 |
Maryland Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, Maryland's total crime rate decreased by 14.9%, moving from 4,890 to 4,163 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, Maryland's crime rate decreased by 1.8%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
Maryland vs Neighboring States
How does Maryland's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 4,163.0 | 985.4 | 3,177.6 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 2,462.7 | 359.1 | 2,103.7 | -40.8% |
| Virginia | 2,725.5 | 338.9 | 2,386.6 | -34.5% |
| West Virginia | 3,489.6 | 498.5 | 2,991.1 | -16.2% |
| Delaware | 4,097.7 | 778.1 | 3,319.6 | -1.6% |
| District of Columbia | 4,513.9 | 925.9 | 3,588.0 | +8.4% |
Among neighboring states, Pennsylvania has the lowest crime rate (2,463 per 100K). District of Columbia has the highest (4,514 per 100K).
Maryland in Regional Context
Maryland is safer than 1 of its 5 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #46 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If Maryland differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maryland's crime rate?
Maryland's total crime rate in 2024 is 4,163.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% above the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (985.4 per 100K) and property crime (3,177.6 per 100K).
How safe is Maryland compared to other states?
Maryland ranks #46 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in Maryland?
The safest city in Maryland is Ocean Pines with a crime rate of 360 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in Maryland.
More Maryland Crime Data
Dive deeper into Maryland's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare Maryland cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.