Moving to Baltimore with your family? Maryland’s largest city has plenty of safe places to live with top-rated education, kid-friendly activities, and affordable housing. If you’re ready to get settled with your kids in Charm City, check out five of the best neighborhoods in Baltimore for families!
| Neighborhood | Federal Hill | Fells Point | Hampden | Mount Vernon | Roland Park |
| Median Home Price | $719,117 | $651,642 | $295,673 | $373,129 | $580,728 |
| Median Rent Price | $2,731 | $2,339 | $1,602 | $1,281 | $1,625 |
| Median Household Income | $171,349 | $131,955 | $78,398 | $55,120 | $125,701 |
| Safer than % of City | 0% | 91% | 57% | 48% | 96% |
| High School Graduation Rate | 90% | 87% | 83% | 86% | 92% |
Federal Hill
- Home Price: $719,117 median home price; $2,731 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 0% of Baltimore neighborhoods
Federal Hill is widely considered a top neighborhood in Baltimore for families, and with good reason! This charming area is located a few minutes south of Downtown Baltimore, offering great shopping options, beautiful historic buildings, stunning Inner Harbor views, and fun restaurant options at the nearby Cross Street Market. Federal Hill is great for homebuyers and renters alike, with a nice mix of brick rowhouses, modern apartments, luxury condos, and affordable homes in Late Federal, Italianate, and Greek Revival styles. Plus, with a variety of schools in and near the area—including Federal Hill Preparatory Academy, Digital Harbor High School, and South Baltimore Music Academy—parents have a wide range of educational options for their kids.
Things to Do In Federal Hill
See engaging exhibits like Fantastic Realities, participate in creative workshops, or go on a tour with your family at the American Visionary Art Museum. Go on a family picnic, take your kids to the playground, or play a game of basketball at Federal Hill Park. Practice your skateboarding at Jake’s State Park, take your kids to Adventure Play, or see the waterfront from The Overlook at Rash Field Park. Explore the Decker Gallery, Communications Gallery, and Garment Loft exhibits at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, located just outside the neighborhood. Enjoy hearty brunch items like the Hobo Eggs, Crab Dip French Toast, and Country Breakfast Burrito at Blue Moon Cafe. Feast on Outpost Nachos, The Tavern Burger, or a Jalapeno B.L.T at The Outpost American Tavern. Take the whole family to try classic Mediterranean dishes like Labneh, Falafel, and Chicken Shawarma at ZAATAR Mediterranean Cuisine. Dig in to classic and unique seafood items like the Shrimp Po’Boy, Crabcake Sandwich, and New Zealand Mussels at Baltimore Seafood.
Fells Point
- Home Price: $651,642 median home price; $2,339 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Baltimore neighborhoods
One of Baltimore’s oldest areas and a significant part of the city’s maritime history, Fells Point is a historic, vibrant Baltimore neighborhood with lots to offer! While it’s known for its popularity with young professionals, this area is also a great place for families seeking a lively atmosphere with plenty of amenities. Fells Point has more than 300 buildings on the National Register, including the Robert Long House—the longest standing residence in the city. Families can choose from a wide range of historical homes, from 18th and 19th-century rowhomes to modern townhomes. Fells Point also offers easy access to quality education for your kids, with private schools like Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and The New Century School, or public schools like Wolfe Street Academy. And with annual events like the Fells Point Oyster Fest, Fells Point Fun Festival, and Fells Point Olde Tyme Christmas—plus year-round attractions like the historic Broadway Market—it’s easy to see why Fells Point is one of Baltimore’s best neighborhoods for families!
Things to Do in Fells Point
Take the family to exhibits like Shark Alley, go on a Family Sunrise Tour, or experience a 4D movie at the National Aquarium. Take your kids to the playground, go bird-watching, or go on a family walk at Thames Street Park. Take a guided tour, learn about African American history, or explore the Bearman Gallery at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. Get a babysitter for the kids and go see comedy acts like Benny Feldman, Rosebud Baker, and Michael Longfellow at The Port Comedy Club. Start your morning with a Challah French Toast, Mexican Burrito, or Banana Pancakes at Jimmy’s Breakfast Bar & Grill. Dine on Maine Lobster Ravioli, Rack of Lamb, or Mediterranean Chicken Panini at Twist. Grab a plate of Salmon Imperial, Tatyana’s Lobster Mac & Cheese, or Jumbo Lump Crab Cake at Angie’s Seafood. Feast on an Alexander Burger, Arrezzio Mozzarella Panini, or Taco Pizza at Alexander’s Tavern.
Hampden
- Home Price: $295,673 median home price; $1,602 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 57% of Baltimore neighborhoods
This quirky North Baltimore neighborhood is a fun area for families. You might recognize Hampden from John Waters’ musical, Hairspray!—and it’s just as well-known for festivals like the Mayor’s Christmas Parade, Miracle on 34th Street holiday lights show, and Hampden Highlights Festival. Local residents appreciate the neighborhood’s walkability and bikeability, as well as easy access to I-83, the Baltimore Light RailLink via Woodberry Station, and several local MTA bus routes. Parents can send their kids to nearby schools like Medfield Heights Elementary School, Hampden Elementary/Middle School, or the Academy for College and Career Exploration—and for college students who want to live at home, Johns Hopkins University is just minutes away. On top of all that, Hampden is among the best places in Baltimore to buy or rent a home, offering everything from classic Baltimore rowhouses to recently refurbished modern apartments.
Things to Do in Hampden
Join a monthly reading club or entertain young ones with Coloring & Activity Books and Books For Strange Children at Atomic Books. Sign your kids up for art camp, attend open studio time, or take a Comics & Cartoons class at Social Studio Art. Play basketball, take your family to the community garden, or kick it in the Skatepark of Baltimore at Roosevelt Park. Help your teen find their style with vintage-inspired dresses, shirts, and jumpsuits at Doubledutch Boutique. Start your morning routine right with a Fig Town Breakfast Sandwich, Japanese Iced Coffee, and Brown Butter Coconut Cookie from Artifact Coffee. Pick up treats like the savory Chickpea Tarts, sweet Cookie Cakes, or home-brewed kombucha at Harmony Bakery. Chow down on items for the whole family like Crab Mac N’ Cheese, Watermelon Gazpacho, and a McCabe Burger at the well-known Wicked Sisters. Or saddle up for a satisfying meal of Vegan Hot Hon’ay Chick’n & Waffle, Pumpkin Curry Soup, or the Aztec Burrito at Golden West Cafe.
Mount Vernon
- Home Price: $373,129 median home price; $1,281 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 48% of Baltimore neighborhoods
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Baltimore neighborhood with a rich history, check out Mount Vernon! Located in Central Baltimore, north of downtown, residents appreciate this neighborhood’s incredible walkability and proximity to eclectic shops and restaurants. Plus, history enthusiasts will love that the neighborhood is home to the original George Washington Monument and the George Peabody Library. Mount Vernon offers a variety of affordable housing options—from historic, single-family Victorian rowhomes to contemporary condos and high-rises. Parents can send their kids to schools like Baltimore School for the Arts and The Loyola School, while young adults interested in a music career can attend the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.
Things to Do in Mount Vernon
Attend performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and featured artists—like Gala with Samara Joy, Music Box: The Four Seasons, and Stravinsky & Prokofiev with Heyward—at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Take the family to shows like Pete the Cat, CHARMZ: The Other Reindeer, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! at Baltimore Center Stage. Peruse exhibits featuring artists like Kukuli Velarde, Edgar Reyes, and Jackie Milad at The Walters Art Museum. Enjoy family fun on the splash pad, take your kids to the playground, or find your new favorite book in the little free library at Mount Vernon Children’s Park. Start your day with a Bulgogi Omelette, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, or Tres Leches Pancake at Dooby’s. Try authentic Spanish and Mediterranean dishes like Pollo y Langosta Catalina, Solomillo a la Parrilla, and Pargo a la Vasca at Tio Pepe. Savor the Maryland Crab Soup, French Onion Soup, or Broccoli & Sharp Cheddar Cheese Soup at Soup’s On. Or feast on Vegan soul food like the Lentil Burger Wrap, Baked Mac & Cheese, and Black-Eyed Pea Fritters at The Land of Kush.
Roland Park
- Home Price: $580,728 median home price; $1,625 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Baltimore neighborhoods
Roland Park is widely considered one of the best places to live in Baltimore for young families. As America’s first planned suburb community and one of the safest places to live in Baltimore, Roland Park has wide, well-lit streets lined with bike lanes, Victorian-style homes, and beautifully-manicured gardens, shrubs, and large, established trees. Many Roland Park residents take action on matters of mutual interest through the Roland Park Civic League, which works to preserve the neighborhood’s quality of life—including through the nonprofit Roland Park Community Foundation, which maintains local parks and green spaces. And while school-aged children can attend top-rated schools like Roland Park Country School, Gilman School, and Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, college students and faculty benefit from a short commute to nearby Baltimore universities like Notre Dame of Maryland University and Loyola University Maryland.
Things to Do in Roland Park
Stroll through 200 acres of wildlife-filled gardens for free, participate in events like Yoga on the Lawn, and keep your kids’ summer exciting with the Nature Camp at Cylburn Arboretum. Become a member to play a variety of racquet sports or try duckpin bowling at Baltimore Country Club‘s original location in Roland Park. Go birdwatching or attend play days, music performances, flea markets, and other community events at Roland Water Tower. Shop major retailers like Bluemercury and Yves Delorme, along with local boutiques like Ruth Shaw Inc, Pied Piper Kids, and more at The Village of Cross Keys. Take the family out for brunch like Coconut Brioche French Toast, Kiko’s Loco Fried Rice, and Eggs Benedict at Johnny’s. Satisfy your cravings for Indian food with Vegetable Samosas to start, followed by Chicken Korma, Lamb Biryani, or Chana Masala at Namaste Baltimore. Dig into a Po’Boy Sandwich, Crazy Man Wings, or the Alonso’s Famous Burger at sports bar Alonso’s. Or make date night reservations and order from a rotating menu of classic French dishes made with local ingredients at Petit Louis Bistro.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
