Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Maryland

Best Places to Live in Maryland

Every Maryland county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Garrett County leads at 70/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Maryland ranks #29 for homesteading and #42 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Maryland

    How Maryland treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. State law also feeds each county’s admin, autonomy, and carry factors; rules often vary by county.

    General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.

    All 24 Maryland counties, ranked

    1. 1Garrett County70
    2. 2Dorchester County66
    3. 3Worcester County66
    4. 4Somerset County63
    5. 5St. Mary's County61
    6. 6Allegany County61
    7. 7Wicomico County61
    8. 8Washington County57
    9. 9Talbot County55
    10. 10Caroline County51
    11. 11Calvert County51
    12. 12Charles County48
    13. 13Kent County48
    14. 14Queen Anne's County44
    15. 15Cecil County43
    16. 16Frederick County41
    17. 17Carroll County38
    18. 18Baltimore County36
    19. 19Montgomery County36
    20. 20Harford County36
    21. 21Prince George's County35
    22. 22Howard County34
    23. 23Anne Arundel County33
    24. 24Baltimore City20

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