Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Located in the state of Maryland, Bowie is a moderately-sized city with a population of 58,158 people. Bowie is mostly populated by White (32%) and Black or African American (56%) ethnic groups. Something to be aware of when living in Bowie are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 37 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Bowie can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Maryland, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bowie, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, health & safety, employment, housing and more.
Bowie, MD receives 70 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #157 in Maryland and #6,268 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Bowie has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A+) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Bowie, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Bowie, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 109 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Bowie apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Bowie is actually affordable. The median home price for Bowie homes is $350,000, which is 20.5% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bowie, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 21.1% lower than the Maryland average.
| Statistic | Bowie | Maryland | National |
| Average one way commute | 37min | 32min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.8% | 73.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.2% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.9% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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