Top 10 Safe/Affordable DC area Suburbs

11 min readMar 17, 2018

Washington DC is a city where politics is the name of the game. But this isn’t stopping young professionals and millennials from flocking there in droves. So it’s no surprise DC is often noted as a world class city to watch out for in the future. especially with strong federal government opportunities and a growing private industry.

Unfortunately, DC is expensive for some with the average home price hitting $550,000. This is despite rents having gone down due to increased building which is always good. Still, it has the most job options and cultural/recreational offerings in the region.

But you don’t have to settle on only the city. Our metro area spans 25 counties and 3 states (MD,VA,West Virginia). This gives you a wide range of housing and recreational choices beyond the DC.

Yet, in a lot of areas, safety and affordability often don’t go hand in hand. :(

But fear not! We’ve found 10 suburbs within the DC metro area which fit in both with safety and affordability.

We took the average property price of $385,300 (Zillow) and choose the areas which were at or below that median price.

These are in no particular order. (Disclaimer: Two suburbs are in my home county : )

1. Germantown, MD

Germantown is a mid level suburb in Montgomery County, Maryland known for it’s array of retail and restaurant options. With a population of over 90,000 as of 2016, it’s the 3rd largest suburb in Maryland and a good option for people who are considering safety along affordability in one of the nation’s highest rated school systems.

Below is some more information about this town:

Population: 90,000 (2016)

Average Home Price: $318,500

Safety index: 42 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to DC: 32 miles from downtown, Typically 35 to 55 minutes via I-270. MARC Commuter Rail via the Brunswick line will take you there in almost an hour. Traffic won’t be the best during peak hours so expect to add 20–25 minutes to your commute downtown. If you prefer taking our renowned Metro train, then this will be a 16–24 minute drive to Shady Grove Station with Metro’s red line whisking you downtown in 36 minutes.

2. Brentwood, MD

Ranked as Maryland’s #1 safest city according to alarms.com, Brentwood, MD is a quaint suburb located in Prince George’s County, MD. With a population of close to 3,200 people, Brentwood still manages to retain it’s small town charm thanks to it’s art galleries and parks. Unfortunately, the town does not have it’s own schools so it relies on schools near Hyattsville, Mount Rainer and in DC.

Population: 3,186 (2016)

Average Home Price: $275,000

Safety index: 45 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to DC: 5.6 miles from downtown, Typically 20 to 45 minutes via the US-1 highway due to intra city traffic in Northeast DC via car. As noted, traffic won’t be the best during peak hours so expect your commute downtown to be 40 minutes to an hour. If you prefer taking Metro rail, then there are options with the WMATA bus system. Both routes T18 and G9 will take you to Rhode Island Metro Station (nearest Metro station) within 15 minutes. Metro’s red line from there will take you downtown 10 minutes.

3. Bowie, MD

Bowie, Maryland is another suburb in Prince George’s County which was recently ranked as one of Maryland’s safest towns (#12). Bowie has seen a slew of development in recent years which has led to endless residential, shopping and culinary options. It’s also a great bedroom community for those who want to deal with more open space and privacy compared to inner beltway suburbs.

Population: 58,393 (2016)

Average Home Price: $359,900

Safety index: 28 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to DC: 22 miles from downtown, Typically 30 minutes to an hour via Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The Lanham Severn Rd and US-50 parkway route will have the same distance also. As noted, traffic won’t be the best during peak hours so expect your commute downtown to be 45 minuted to an hour and a half.

MARC commuter rail from Bowie State University via the Camden line will get you to downtown DC (Union Station) in 25 minutes. If you prefer taking Metro rail, then there are options with the WMATA bus system. Route C28 will take you straight to New Carrollton Metro station (nearest station). The Orange line should get you downtown in 32 minutes. Routes C21, C22, C26 and C28 will take you to Addison Road Metro Station in 54 minutes. The Blue line from there should get you downtown in 26 minutes.

It should be noted Bowie is very spread out so some bus stops may be a good walking distance from your home and the same will go for MARC/metro. You may have to drive to the nearest MARC station if your home isn’t walking distance. This might take you 10–20 minutes. Conversely, a drive to the nearest Metro stations will take you a good 20–25 minutes.

4. Front Royal, VA

Front Royal is mostly rural but has become more suburban with more housing and recreational options coming over thanks to residents from Fairfax County opting for more space at affordable prices. Located in Warren County, it’s also a good 5–10 minutes away from the Shenandoah National Park and it’s also 2 hours away Shenandoah Valley making it the perfect town to experience the countryside.

Population: 15,153 (2016)

Average Home Price: $275,000

Safety index: 35 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 77 miles from downtown, Typically 1 hr 25 minutes to 3 hours via I-66 (The worst bottleneck in the DC metro area!). There are no public transit alternatives to downtown DC so the car is the only option. However, you could commute to Bristow, VA which has a VRE station (Broad Run) via car which will take you 45 minutes to an hour. The VRE Manassas commuter rail line should take an hour and 20 minutes to get you downtown.

5. La Plata, MD

La Plata is a town in Charles County, Maryland which is 45 miles away from Annapolis (the State’s capital). It served serves as the county seat for that county and was originally founded as a railroad stop in the 1870’s for the Pennsylvania Railroad company. It’s location serves it perfectly as it’s 45 minutes away from Maryland’s Western Shore beaches and 3 hours away from Maryland’s Eastern Shore beaches, particularly Ocean City.

Population: 9,239 (2016)

Average Home Price: $322,400

Safety index: 46 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 35 miles from downtown, Typically an hour to 2 hours via the MD 210 highway thanks to recent housing growth in Southern Maryland.

If you prefer taking public transit, there is the 610 MTA commuter bus from La Plata Park & Ride which will whisk you into downtown in an hour and a half. However, the bus only runs on weekdays so for weekend outings, driving to Branch Ave station (which gets you downtown in 40 minutes via the green line) would be best.

6. Fredericksburg, VA

Fredericksburg is an independent city in Virginia located near Stafford County. This is considered a DC exurb as it’s experienced a lot of growth with more housing and shopping options. However, this city has had it’s own piece of history to be proud of which doesn’t involve being a part of DC. It was a major point of traverse during the Civil War and currently is home to 4 battlefields. The Fredericksburg National Cemetery was also the final resting place for Union Soldiers.

Population: 28,118 (2015)

Average Home Price: $284,950

Safety index: 37 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 53 miles from downtown, Typically 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes via I-95 then transitioning over to I-395 (Another bottleneck in the mornings!!)

However, if you’d like to avoid traffic during morning peaks, there is a transit option. There are no buses directly to downtown D.C. However, you can still take the Fredericksburg VRE commuter rail line to downtown DC which will take an hour and 33 minutes.

7. Damascus, MD

Damascus is a semi-rural town located in Montgomery County thanks in large part to Montgomery County’s Agriculture Reserve program. Damascus still serves a post for many surrounding rural communities. And it’s also one of the few places in Montgomery County where one can still afford a home below the DC area’s median home price.

Population: 28,118 (2015)

Average Home Price: $284,950

Safety index: 27 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 35 miles from downtown, Typically 50 minutes to an hour but during rush hour peaks, expect to add an hour to your commute downtown.

However, if you’d like to avoid traffic, there is the 90 Bus route (operated by Ride-On) which will take you to Shady Grove Metro Station in at least 30 minutes. From there, you can take the red line to downtown DC which will take you a good 35 minutes. On weekends, there is the possibility of a delay which means Metro trains will be running every 24 minutes.

Driving to the Shady Grove Metro Station is usually the option most people take and should take you 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.

8. Prince Frederick, MD

Prince Frederick in Calvert County is a beach town which has experienced recent growth as a DC exurb. It doesn’t have too many shopping or restaurant options but it is growing nonetheless. It’s location is also perfect as it’s near other Western Shore towns like Chesapeake Beach and it’s also 3 hours away from the Eastern Shore beaches.

Population: 3,213 (2014)

Average Home Price: $283,900

Safety index: 75 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 45 miles from downtown, Typically an hour to 2 hours via MD-4 North which then transitions onto Suitland Pkwy/I-695

There is a commuter bus operated by MTA (Route 650) which will take you to downtown in an hour and 25 minutes from Prince Frederick Park & Ride. There is no nearby Metro rail stations in Prince Frederick so for weekend outings to the city, driving is the only option.

9. Brunswick, MD

Brunswick is a town located in Frederick County, Maryland. Like its other counterparts in the county, this town has a charming main street supporting dozens of stores, bars and restaurants. Brunswick is also home to “Railroad Days”; a festival which celebrates the town’s heritage along with the Brunswick Heritage Museum in 1974. There are also other events such as the Farmers Market, Wine and Chocolate walk, Arts in the Parks along with other events. Petersville Rd is located in the town which leads straight into Loudoun County and is also close to US Route 15 which leads straight into Leesburg, Virginia and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Population: 6,171 (2016)

Average Home Price: $276,000

Safety index: 14 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 61 miles from downtown, Typically 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours via I-270 South.

There is the MARC commuter rail (Brunswick line) which will take you from Brunswick Station to Union Station in an hour and 27 minutes.

But if you want a quicker commute downtown, then stopping at the Rockville MARC station and then transitioning straight to Metro’s red line will get you to downtown in 32 minutes.

10. Thurmont, MD

Thurmont is a town in Frederick County which is about 16 miles away from Frederick and 10 miles away from the Pennsylvania border making trips to South Central Pennsylvania convenient. Like Brunswick, the town also has a charming main street and is close to various mountain ranges in the area. It also has various attractions for outdoor enthusiasts such as the Cunningham Falls State Park and is also home to the Catocin Wildlife Preserve Zoo which is home to a whooping 319 animal species.

Population: 6,528 (2016)

Average Home Price: $239,990

Safety index: 26 (1 is the safest)

Proximity to D.C: 65 miles from downtown, Typically 1 hour to 3 hours via I-270 South depending on how traffic and incoming commuters from other Frederick/Washington County suburbs.

There is the MARC commuter rail (Brunswick line) in Frederick which is accessible to most points in Thurmont and should be easily reached in 20–26 minutes. Luckily, there is a commuter bus which takes you down to Shady Grove Station in 55 minutes max.

But if you want a quicker commute downtown, then the MARC Brunswick line will take you there in an hour and 27 minutes while going down to Rockville Station will get you there in an hour and 12 minutes. From there, Metro’s red line will get you to downtown in about 36 minutes max.

So, these are our round-ups of the top 10 affordable suburbs rated by safety relative to affordability in the DC area. If you agree or think differently, then feel free to comment below.

Disclaimer:

It’s not anything too serious but please do note. When referring to downtown relative to Metro Stations, there are 6 Stations in the Red line system which are in downtown (Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square and Union Station).

And also, 8 stations within the Orange, Blue and Silver line systems (McPherson Square, Metro Center, Smithsonian, Foggy Bottom-Kennedy Center, Farragut West, L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW and Federal Triangle). This is specifically for commuters coming in from Prince George’s County and Northern Virginia.

For more information, below are free resources to help you navigate the DC Region. :)

Public Transportation Resource Guides:

WMATA metro rail- https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/index.cfm

VRE commuter rail map- https://www.vre.org/service/map/

VRE Fredericksburg schedule- https://www.vre.org/vre/assets/File/FRED%20Schedule%208-17_web.pdf

VRE Manassas schedule- https://www.vre.org/vre/assets/File/MAN_Schedule_7-17_web.pdf

MARC Brunswick line schedule- https://mta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/Brunswick_Mar132017.pdf

MARC Penn line schedule- https://mta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/Penn_June26_Full.pdf

Ride- On Bus schedules- http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.html

WMATA Bus Schedules serving Maryland- https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/all-routes.cfm?State=MD

MTA Commuter Bus 610 schedule- https://mta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/610Nov2013.pdf

MTA Commuter Bus 650 schedule- https://mta.maryland.gov/sites/default/files/650Nov2013.pdf