What are the schools like in North Laurel, MD?

North Laurel is served primarily by Howard County Public Schools. The district operates 42 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, and 15 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1.

What is the median household income in North Laurel?

The median household income in North Laurel, MD is $115,294 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

What is the weather like in North Laurel, MD?

North Laurel has an average high temperature of 42.7°F in January and 88.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 47.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 28.5 inches.

North Laurel, MD Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is North Laurel, MD affordable or expensive?

North Laurel's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means North Laurel is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $431,500 and the median rent is $1,871 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in North Laurel, MD?

Crime rate data for North Laurel is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is North Laurel, MD a Good Place to Live?

North Laurel is a small city of 24,414 in Maryland, with a median household income of $115,294 and a 3.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: North Laurel stands out for solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices, longer commutes. Whether North Laurel is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All North Laurel city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.7

North Laurel's overall cost of living index is 102.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in North Laurel costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	North Laurel, MD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$431,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,871	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$115,294	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for North Laurel is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

North Laurel is served primarily by Howard County Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	North Laurel, MD	National Avg
School District	Howard County Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	42	—
Middle Schools	20	—
High Schools	15	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	58.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	92.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

North Laurel sees average highs of 42.7°F in January and 88.6°F in July, with 47.4 inches of annual precipitation and 28.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	North Laurel, MD
Average High — January	42.7°F
Average High — July	88.6°F
Annual Precipitation	47.4"
Annual Snowfall	28.5"

Demographics

Metric	North Laurel, MD	National Avg
Population	24,414	—
Median Age	35.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	31.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	33.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	37.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	9.6%	18.9%
Asian	14.2%	6.3%
Under 18	25.0%	22.2%
65 and over	10.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Savage, MD 2 mi Scaggsville, MD 2 mi Laurel, MD 2 mi West Laurel, MD 3 mi Maryland City, MD 3 mi

ZIP Codes in North Laurel

North Laurel, MD is covered by 1 ZIP code:

20723

North Laurel vs Other Cities

North Laurel, MD vs Savage, MD North Laurel, MD vs Scaggsville, MD North Laurel, MD vs Laurel, MD North Laurel, MD vs West Laurel, MD North Laurel, MD vs Maryland City, MD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Laurel, MD affordable or expensive?

North Laurel's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts North Laurel roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $431,500 and median rent is $1,871/month.

What is the crime rate in North Laurel, MD?

Crime data for North Laurel is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in North Laurel?

Public schools in North Laurel are operated by Howard County Public Schools. The district has 42 elementary, 20 middle, and 15 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 58.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is North Laurel, MD a good place to live?

North Laurel, MD has a population of 24,414, a median household income of $115,294, and an unemployment rate of 3.0%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in North Laurel?

North Laurel averages 42.7°F in January and 88.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 47.4 inches with about 28.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in North Laurel?

North Laurel, MD is covered by 1 ZIP code: 20723.

What is the population of North Laurel?

The population of North Laurel, Maryland is 24,414 with a median age of 35.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in North Laurel?

Key numbers for living in North Laurel: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $431,500, median household income $115,294, schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare North Laurel side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.