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 80/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Maryland ranks #25 for homesteading and #33 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 County80
    2. 2Dorchester County70
    3. 3Worcester County70
    4. 4Wicomico County68
    5. 5Somerset County66
    6. 6Allegany County65
    7. 7Washington County61
    8. 8Talbot County59
    9. 9Caroline County55
    10. 10St. Mary's County55
    11. 11Calvert County53
    12. 12Kent County52
    13. 13Charles County51
    14. 14Queen Anne's County50
    15. 15Cecil County47
    16. 16Frederick County44
    17. 17Carroll County41
    18. 18Harford County38
    19. 19Baltimore County38
    20. 20Montgomery County38
    21. 21Prince George's County37
    22. 22Howard County36
    23. 23Anne Arundel County35
    24. 24Baltimore City22

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