Is Hagerstown, MD A Good Place To Live?
Maryland is a great state with well-known cities such as Baltimore, Annapolis, and Hagerstown. Cities like Hagerstown are a perfect example of how culturally diverse and historically significant Maryland is. With that said, is Hagerstown, MD a good place to live, and if so, why?
Hagerstown, MD is a great place to live because of the low housing costs and generally low crime rates. The median home value is $155,700 and rent averages $832 per month. Property crime is somewhat high, but violence is rare in Hagerstown, and crime rates are far below Baltimore, Maryland.
Hagerstown has a vibe and personality unique from other cities, like Maryland. Of course, no city is without its pitfalls, and Hagerstown that is the poverty rate. Follow along as we explore the benefits and downsides of living in Hagerstown, Maryland.
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Why Is Hagerstown, MD a Good Place To Live?
Hagerstown is every bit as unique as other well-known Maryland cities like Baltimore or Annapolis. This city is home to many historic locations and battle sites that contribute to the rich sense of awe. There are many reasons that Hagerstown, Maryland is a great, safe, and comfortable place to live, such as…
Low Housing Costs
You can find affordable housing as both a renter and homeowner in Hagerstown, MD. The median home value in Hagerstown is $155,700, and that is affordable for the state. Currently, 41% of residents in Hagerstown are homeowners, and they spend $1,306 per month on ownership costs.
The majority of Hagerstown residents rent an apartment or a home and pay $832 per month, on average. Rental and ownership costs are low enough that the majority of Hagerstown residents can afford comfortable housing. It is cheaper to rent or buy a house in Hagerstown than Annapolis or Baltimore.
Low Crime Rates
Crimes do occur in Hagerstown, Maryland, but the crime rate is reasonably low. There are 104 crimes per square mile, and that’s nothing compared to the 457 per square miles in Baltimore. Violent crime is rarer than property crime in Hagerstown, and it affects 1 in 181 residents.
Property crime is more common and unfortunately affects 1 in 40 Hagerstown residents. The crime rate is low for the state of Maryland and Hagerstown is a safe place to live. Hagerstown boasts many nice and safe neighborhoods, especially around Ringgold, Fountain Meadow, Saint James, and Fairplay.
Comfortable Suburban Feel
Hagerstown boasts a comfortable suburban feel that makes it easy to feel at home in the city. There are 40,152 residents in Hagerstown, but it never feels overcrowded. The city is stretched across 12.18 square miles, but residents don’t live on top of each other.
There is a high population density and that isn’t for everyone, but the city is well laid out. Despite the small landmass that Hagerstown boasts, it is the 18th biggest community in Maryland. You can choose between 22 neighborhoods in Hagerstown, MD that have their unique personality.
Great Education Opportunities
Hagerstown has great education opportunities for each grade level and age. The city is part of the greater Washington County school system, and it includes 46 schools. Currently, there are over 22,000 students enrolled in school in Hagerstown and Washington County.
College-age students in Hagerstown, MD can save their money and attend Hagerstown Community College. Hagerstown is also close to Frederick, Maryland, and Emmitsburg with colleges like Hood College and Mount St. Mary’s University. Both private and public school institutions in Hagerstown provide great educations and boast impressive statistics.
What Are the Downsides to Living In Hagerstown, MD?
Hagerstown, Maryland has many great things about it, but there are always pitfalls to living in any city. Several things are hard to reconcile about living in Hagerstown, and that includes:
- There aren’t many fun attractions or things to do in Hagerstown. Hagerstown lacks many attractions besides the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. There are parks and musical theaters in Hagerstown, but it lacks exciting nightlife and most of the attractions are historical.
- Crime in Hagerstown has slowly increased alongside a rising drug epidemic in the city. Property crime specifically has increased, and Hagerstown has made the headlines for its drug problems. Nice neighborhoods like Fountain Meadow are a haven away from this, but property crime and drug use have increased elsewhere.
- Winter brings cold weather in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the average is 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather can drop below freezing level in Hagerstown, but it generally stays in the 30s or 40s. Fall and winter are quite cold in Hagerstown, but luckily, the spring and summer are quite mild.
- The high population density makes for congested traffic at times during morning and afternoon rush hours. Currently, 40,151 people reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, they’re spread throughout 12.18 square miles. The city has a nice suburban feel, but the sheer population density means that the streets get crowded.
- Poverty is common in Hagerstown, and the current poverty rate is 27.2%. Nearly 1 in 4 residents in Hagerstown have to live in poverty, and that is staggering. The state of Maryland has a 9.7% poverty rate, and Hagerstown is nearly triple that amount.
What Is the Cost of Living In Hagerstown, MD?
Hagerstown creates a suburban feeling in the state with many urban environments. It is a working-class town with many residents that commute daily, and transportation costs are low. Hagerstown is the perfect middle between the city and suburban life, so what is the cost of living in this great city?
- Housing costs in Hagerstown are affordable enough for 41% of residents to own their homes. Renters make up the rest of the population and spend an average of $832 per month on rent. Housing costs in Hagerstown are nearly half the cost of housing in Annapolis, MD.
| City | Median Home Value | Average Rent |
| Hagerstown, MD | $155,700 | $832 |
| Baltimore, MD | $160,100 | $1,073 |
| Annapolis, MD | $420,500 | $1,583 |
- Groceries cost 7% less in Hagerstown, MD than in the rest of the United States, on average. This includes essentials like bread, milk, meat, and products which are on par with or below the national average.
- Extensive public transportation in Hagerstown can save you a fortune on gas. Hagerstown is a big part of the larger Washington County public transit system that includes bus and rail travel. The city also houses the Hagerstown Regional Airport which boasts fair prices and the second biggest runway in Maryland.
Related Questions
Is Hagerstown MD safe?
Yes, Hagerstown, Maryland is a safe place to live, but property crime is fairly common. Property crime affects 1 in 40 Hagerstown residents, and violence affects 1 in 181 people. Theft is the leading crime in Hagerstown, Maryland, and there are 104 crimes per square mile.
Does Hagerstown, MD have an airport?
Yes, Hagerstown has the Hagerstown Regional Airport, and it is known for its low cost. The airport also offers free Wi-Fi and parking for their customers and guests. It is located half of a mile from the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania, so it is convenient for residents of both states.
What kind of jobs are there in Hagerstown, MD?
There are many jobs in Hagerstown, MD, and the FedEx and Amazon warehouses are a big hub of jobs. Hagerstown also boasts many education jobs as the county educates 22,000 students. You can find maintenance, public service, business, and customer service jobs in abundance in Hagerstown.
How far is Hagerstown from Baltimore?
Hagerstown is located 74.4 miles away from Baltimore, and you can expect to drive up to 1 hour and 21 minutes. Conveniently, you can also reach the nation’s capital Washington DC in a fair shorty 73-mile drive from Hagerstown.
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Summing It Up
Hagerstown, Maryland is a great place to live, but you have to take the good with the bad. For example, 27.2% of Hagerstown residents live in poverty, and that fuels drug-related property crime. However, the low housing costs make it so that the majority of residents can afford to rent or own a home in Hagerstown.
Hagerstown also boasts a great public transportation system that extends from Washington County to Baltimore and beyond. The city also has the Hagerstown Regional Airport which offers free parking and serves thousands of people per year. Unfortunately, the winter and fall seasons are cold and harsh, but the spring and summer are comfortably mild in Hagerstown.
Bills and essentials like groceries are affordable in Hagerstown, and groceries usually cost 7% less than the national average. Hagerstown is mostly safe, but there is a property crime that includes theft, burglary, and vehicle theft throughout the small city.
Hagerstown is a good place to live just like Hyattsville is a good place to live, and both cities are among Maryland’s best.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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