Laurel, MD vs Ridgewood, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Ridgewood
68
#1362 nationally
Ridgewood leads in crime level (1.2 vs 10.8). Ridgewood leads in median household income ($211,224 vs $92,035). Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 181).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Laurel, MD | Ridgewood, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1547) | 68 (#1362) |
| Population | 29,400 | 26,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $478,130 | $1,273,036 |
| Median Household Income | $92,035 | $211,224 |
| Average Commute | 33.5 min | 36.3 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 10.8 | 1.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+3.4 |
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →
D+
68 Score
Ridgewood, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,273,036
Population
26,194
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Northeast
View Ridgewood, NJ →