West Ocean City 78 Exceptional
West Ocean City Livability #69 ranked city in Maryland#2,499 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% 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 West Ocean City

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
  • 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 West Ocean City?

Located in the state of Maryland, West Ocean City is a small city with a population of 4,828 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, West Ocean City could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in West Ocean City will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in West Ocean City could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maryland if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in West Ocean City and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Maryland and national averages.

West Ocean City has a livability score of 78/100 and is ranked #65 in Maryland and #2,237 in the USA. Compared to the US average, West Ocean City ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! West Ocean City 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 West Ocean City has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). West Ocean City does not score well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

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 West Ocean City 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.

Assuming that West Ocean City meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in West Ocean City. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in West Ocean City are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in West Ocean City come in at $597,604, which is 15.5% higher than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In West Ocean City, the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 2.2% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Ocean City

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Compare West Ocean City, MD Livability

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      West Ocean City transportation information

      Statistic West Ocean City Maryland National
      Average one way commute21min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work90.7%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.7%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.1%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The West Ocean City, 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.