Shady Side 68 Good
Shady Side Livability #205 ranked city in Maryland#9,775 ranked city in the USARanks better than 66% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Shady Side

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Shady Side?

Shady Side, Maryland is a small city with a population of 5,052 inhabitants. The majority of Shady Side residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Shady Side entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 42 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Shady Side is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Maryland, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Shady Side and in the areas around Shady Side is a much easier task.

The livability score in Shady Side is 66/100 and the city is ranked in the 61st percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Shady Side ranks very well for crime (B-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Shady Side. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D).

The Shady Side unemployment rate of 2.6% 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.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Shady Side has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Shady Side real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Shady Side. The median home price for Shady Side homes is $606,944, which is 17.3% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Shady Side, 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 Shady Side

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Compare Shady Side, MD Livability

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      Shady Side transportation information

      Statistic Shady Side Maryland National
      Average one way commute42min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.2%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.6%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.2%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home10.0%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Shady Side, 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.