Olney 81 Exceptional
Olney Livability #39 ranked city in Maryland#1,414 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Olney

PROS
  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

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.

What's it like Living in Olney?

Olney, Maryland is a mid-sized city with a population of 36,549 residents. At 66%, the majority of the Olney population is White; this is followed by 13% Asian and 12% Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Olney offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 34 minutes.

Living in Olney can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Maryland, there are many amazing 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Olney and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Olney to Maryland and the national average.

Olney, MD receives 81 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #44 in Maryland and #1,323 in the USA. Based on this score, Olney would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Olney also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Olney scores well for amenities (B-), crime (A-), education (A-) and housing (A+) On a more negative note, Olney does not have favorable grades for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Olney, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Olney undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

The Olney unemployment rate of 2.3% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Olney market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 Olney is real estate affordability. The median home price for Olney homes is $930,513, which is 79.8% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Olney, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 10.9% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Olney

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Olney?

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      Olney transportation information

      Statistic Olney Maryland National
      Average one way commute34min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.9%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit5.5%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home13.3%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Olney, 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.