Silver Spring, MD

Maryland · Metropolitan Area

Silver Spring is a mid-size city in Maryland with a population of 82,129. Residents earn $98,880 per year, which is 32% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
82,129 Population 10,422/sq mi density
$98,880 Median Income $55,875 per capita
$619,400 Home Value $540,988 Zillow
$1,899 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$98,880 median income, 3.8% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$619,400 home value, $1,899/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
59.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $98,880
32% higher than US avg
Home Value $619,400
120% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 59.8%
77% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,899
63% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.2%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

How Silver Spring Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population82,129
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density10,422/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 37%

Economy

A+
Median Income$98,880
Per Capita$55,875
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$117,390M
Commute33 min

Housing

B
Home Value$619,400
Rent$1,899
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$540,988

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity29.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.3%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain44.4 in/yr
Sunny Days291/yr
Elevation289 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+59.8%
High School+86.9%
School Score5.85

Community

2024 VoteR 22% / D 75%
Commute33 min
EV Stations64
Libraries22

Is Silver Spring a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Silver Spring receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Silver Spring stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Silver Spring is $98,880, which is significantly higher than the national average — 32% above $75,149. This places Silver Spring among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Silver Spring is $619,400, making it a premium housing market at 120% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,899 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Silver Spring is a highly educated community — 59.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 86.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Silver Spring enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 291 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Silver Spring has a population of 82,129 with a density of 10,422 people per square mile. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (36.5%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 28.4% Black.

Population

82,129
Total Population
10,422
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
7.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Silver Spring vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only57.2%
27% below US avg
Spanish42.8%
219% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Silver Spring vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Silver Spring is $98,880, which is 32% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Silver Spring vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$98,880
32% above US avg
Per Capita Income$55,875
Avg Weekly Wage$1,817
IRS Avg AGI$132,519

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)35,443
County GDP$117,390M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,941
Healthcare3,931
Retail2,357
Manufacturing336

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,769
122% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.9 min
Work from Home23.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Silver Spring is $619,400, 120% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,899 (63% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $540,988.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$619,400
120% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$540,988
Median List Price$564,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$564,500
$/Sq Ft$436
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops20.0%
Inventory105

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,899
63% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,954

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,312
1 Bedroom$1,400
2 Bedrooms$1,648
3 Bedrooms$2,123
4 Bedrooms$2,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied38.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,769
122% above US avg
Effective Rate1.25%
In Silver Spring, 29.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.3% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Silver Spring vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.2%
9% below US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma9.9%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression18.3%
Mental Distress13.7%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.2%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death4,785/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access99.9%
Healthcare Facilities3,931

Crime Rates: Silver Spring vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46

Safety Score

Silver Spring has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.4 inches. The area enjoys 291 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days291 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.4 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall1.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation289 ft (88 m)
Area7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
Population Density10,422/sq mi
Coordinates39.0024°N, 77.0208°W
County FIPS24031
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 59.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 53.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 21.9%
D 75.2%

Winner: Democrat by 53.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+59.8%
77% above US avg
High School+86.9%
School Test Score5.85
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density10,422/sq mi
Total Area7.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations64
Alt Fuel Stations65
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities3,931
Restaurants1,941
Retail Stores2,357

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)46

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.9 min
Work from Home23.8%

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