National Harbor 80 Exceptional
National Harbor Livability #50 ranked city in Maryland#1,821 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in National Harbor

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in National Harbor?

Located in the state of Maryland, National Harbor is a smaller city with a population of 4,143 residents. Something to be aware of when living in National Harbor 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 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in National Harbor, Maryland. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in National Harbor and in the areas around National Harbor is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 77/100, National Harbor is ranked #2,706 in the United States and #82 in Maryland. Compared to the United States average, National Harbor ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! National Harbor also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that National Harbor has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A-), crime (B) and housing (A+). Regrettably for National Harbor, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F) and education (F).

If you're considering living in National Harbor, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, National Harbor provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

The unemployment rate in National Harbor has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.9%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. National Harbor excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to National Harbor is real estate affordability. The median home price for National Harbor homes is $595,220, which is 15% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in National Harbor, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 19.6% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around National Harbor

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      National Harbor transportation information

      Statistic National Harbor Maryland National
      Average one way commute35min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.1%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit9.7%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.8%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The National Harbor, MD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.