Is Marlow Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Marlow Heights
Marlow Heights, Maryland, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, situated in Prince George’s County, just a short distance from Washington, D.C. This community provides a variety of housing options and is known for its moderate cost of living, making it an appealing choice for many families. Its strategic location also means residents have convenient access to major employment centers and cultural attractions in the surrounding areas.
The demographic makeup of Marlow Heights is notably diverse, with a significant African American population, alongside White, Asian, and Hispanic residents. This diversity contributes to a rich cultural tapestry within the community. Many residents own their homes, while a substantial portion also rents, indicating a varied housing market. The community’s infrastructure supports daily life with access to essential services, parks, and recreational facilities.
Is it Safe to Live in Marlow Heights?
The crime rate in Marlow Heights is a significant concern, with data indicating it is considerably higher than the national average. Overall crime is reported to be 62.29 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). This places Marlow Heights in the 5th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 5% of U.S. cities (according to CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of crime varies by neighborhood, with eastern areas being less safe than western areas (according to CrimeGrade.org).
Violent crime rates are also elevated, standing at 8.401 per 1,000 residents annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). This rate is higher than the state average for Maryland (according to CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is estimated at $1,250 per year, which is substantially higher than both the national and state averages (according to CrimeGrade.org). While some neighborhoods are considered safer than others, the overall crime statistics suggest a need for vigilance for residents.
Housing Costs and Market Trends
Marlow Heights presents a competitive housing market with a median home price that has seen a recent decrease. The average home price was approximately $399,000 in January 2026, marking a 16.9% decrease from the previous year (according to Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $197, which has increased by 29.9% over the past year (according to Redfin).
Rental costs in Marlow Heights are varied, with average rents for apartments differing based on the number of bedrooms. As of May 2026, a studio apartment averages $1,038 per month, a one-bedroom is $1,373, a two-bedroom is $1,462, and a three-bedroom is $1,967 (according to Apartments.com). These figures represent an increase of 4.9% in apartment rents over the past year (according to Apartments.com). The median monthly rent across all property types is approximately $1,445 (according to RentCafe).
Job Market and Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities in Marlow Heights are diverse, with key sectors including healthcare and social assistance, public administration, and educational services. However, there has been a notable decline in employment within the area, with a decrease of 22.8% from 2023 to 2024 (according to Data USA). The most common occupations for residents include those in business and financial operations, material moving, and office and administrative support (according to Data USA).
While local employment exists, many residents commute to the nearby cities for more concentrated career hubs. The unemployment rate in Marlow Heights CDP has seen an increase, reaching 13.5% in 2023, a significant rise from 7.6% in 2017 (according to CensusDepth). The work-from-home rate has also increased, standing at 5.4% in 2023, up from 1.0% in 2017 (according to CensusDepth).
Climate and Weather Patterns
Marlow Heights experiences a climate with distinct seasons, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures throughout the year typically range from 27°F to 89°F (according to myPerfectWeather). The average annual rainfall is around 46 inches, with snowfall averaging about 12 inches (according to myPerfectWeather).
Summer months, particularly July and August, can be uncomfortably humid (according to myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 89°F and lows of 70°F (according to myPerfectWeather). Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs of 44°F and lows of 28°F (according to myPerfectWeather). The area experiences approximately 133 days per year with comfortable weather, generally between mid-April to June and September to October (according to myPerfectWeather).
Education and School System
The Marlow Heights CDP is served by the Prince George’s County Public Schools district, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. Specific schools serving sections of Marlow Heights include Barnaby Manor and Hillcrest Heights elementary schools, Benjamin Stoddert and Thurgood Marshall middle schools, and Crossland High School and Potomac High School (according to Wikipedia). There are also charter school options available, such as Imagine Lincoln Public Charter School (according to Wikipedia).
While public school options are available, some residents choose to send their children to private schools, which are reported to rank highly in the area (according to Apartments.com). Niche.com provides ratings for public schools in Marlow Heights, with some schools receiving ratings above 4.0 out of 5, such as the Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC (according to Niche). The educational attainment of Marlow Heights residents shows that about 53.9% have completed high school, with 20.5% pursuing college studies (according to Point2Homes).
Demographics and Community Profile
Marlow Heights is a community with a population of approximately 5,456 residents, characterized by a diverse racial and ethnic makeup. The largest demographic group is Black or African American, comprising about 83.7% of the population, followed by White residents at 4.2% and Asian residents at 3.6% (according to Point2Homes). A significant portion of the population, around 10.9%, was born outside the United States (according to Data USA).
The median age in Marlow Heights is 44.8 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (according to World Population Review). The community has a notable percentage of residents living below the poverty line, reported at 31.49% (according to World Population Review). This figure is considerably higher than the national average. The median household income was $55,502 in 2024, showing a decrease from the previous year (according to Point2Homes).
Major Employers and Economic Landscape
While specific major employers directly within Marlow Heights are not extensively detailed, the broader Prince George’s County and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area host a range of significant employers. These include large healthcare systems, government agencies, and educational institutions. For instance, the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are major employers in the nearby Baltimore region (according to Technical.ly).
Within the local area, businesses like Banister Ford of Marlow Heights are present, offering employment in the automotive sector as sales consultants and technicians (according to Indeed). The Marlow Heights Shopping Center is a substantial retail hub, anchored by Giant Food and Macy’s, which supports numerous retail jobs (according to The Gelman Companies). The community’s proximity to Washington D.C. also provides access to a vast number of federal government positions and other large corporate employers.