What it's like to live in Takoma Park
Takoma Park is a small city in Maryland with county unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Takoma Park deals with home prices well above the national average, commute times longer than most cities, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Low unemployment in the county
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Clean air
- Highly educated workforce
- Average class sizes
- Public transit that many commuters use
The not so good
- High home prices
- Above-average commute times
- High rent burden for renters
How Takoma Park compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Takoma Park
Based on Takoma Park's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,864
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $57,280 a year
- 52% of Takoma Park renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$149,840
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $74,920
- Homes cost 6.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,432/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,432 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices are steep, with a median around $749,200. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $749,200 · 52% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.7% county unemployment
Unemployment in Montgomery County is 3.7%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Montgomery County (county-wide)
SafetyNear US average
340 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 3382/100k · Takoma Park Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▲ 31% above US
34 min average commute
Traffic is a real factor here. The 34 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 4 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% take public transit; 36% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 88°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 30°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 71% above US
62% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1, close to the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Civil War Defenses of Washington (2 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Takoma Park's strongest points are county unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and commute times longer than most cities. A year of median rent ($1,432/mo) equals 16% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit remote workers (36% of workers here already work from home), people who would rather not drive, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for people who dread long commutes.
Other places near Takoma Park
All Maryland guides →Moving to Langley Park →
1 mi away · pop. 21,508
Rent $1,707/mo · Income $85,321
Compare with Takoma Park →Moving to Silver Spring →
2 mi away · pop. 81,462
Rent $1,913/mo · Income $99,860
Compare with Takoma Park →Not sure Takoma Park is the one?
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