Pros & Cons of Buying in Rockville

Rockville has been Montgomery County’s Seat since 1776, but it wasn’t always known as Rockville. Other names of the longstanding town include Owen's Ordinary, Hungerford's Tavern, and Daley's Tavern—and before that, the land was occupied by the Piscataway and Nacotchtank tribes. The town’s long history makes it a culturally rich haven, with real estate options ranging from charming historic homes to affordable condos to spectacular new construction.

Niche.com gives Rockville an overall A+ grade, with especially high ratings for health and fitness, public schools, and diversity. Most residents own their homes in a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods. Here, you’ll find many locally-owned coffee restaurants and small businesses in addition to luxury shopping centers and powerhouse employers in the technology, education, and healthcare industries. Considering Rockville for your next move? Here are our top pros and cons for buying a home here.

Rockville is home to many major employers in information technology, education, biotech, healthcare, and the federal and local government sectors according to the city’s economic development website. Per the latest U.S. census, the median household income here is $111,797—higher than the U.S. average of $70,784—and Rockville’s projected job growth from 2020 is 31.25% by 2040. Seasoned and up-and-coming professionals alike can find great opportunities if they choose to settle down in Rockville.

Additionally, from Rockville you can easily commute to Bethesda, D.C., and the surrounding areas for work, providing even greater access to career opportunities.

Rockville is a great place to buy a home if one of your top priorities is safety. Area Vibes gives the area an A- grade for safety and reports that its crime rate is 52% lower than the U.S. overall. Residents surveyed by Niche.com reported feeling “very safe” in Rockville and noted that police are visible and respond quickly. The safest neighborhoods reported by Neighborhood Scout include Glenora Hills, Aspen Hill West, and Lakewood Estates.

One of Rockville’s major upsides is the access it provides to outdoor activities. Living in the city, it can sometimes be difficult to get outside and connect to nature—but that’s not a problem in Rockville. This city boasts 67 beautifully-maintained parks where you can exercise, enjoy nature, meet with friends, walk your dog, and more. Like to bike, hike, or rollerblade? Head over to the Rock Creek Trail—an 18.6-mile-long asphalt trail offering scenic views and terminating at Lake Needwood where you can fish, picnic, and rent boats.

Rockville is within easy driving distance to Bethesda and Washington D.C., but that means there are many cars on the road. Normal commutes take just over 15 minutes to Bethesda and 35 to D.C., but during peak hours, those times can more than double.

Luckily, you have commuting options besides the interstate. Hop onto the Metrorail at the Shady Grove Station near the Shady Grove Metro townhome community in Rockville, and you can get to Bethesda in 20 minutes and Washington D.C. in 40.

Some residents also avoid traffic by biking to their destinations on the Rock Creek Trail.

With over 3,100 miles of shoreline, Maryland is one of the states most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. Residents have already begun to feel effects including longer, hotter summers, flooding, and storm damage. While elevation and distance from the coast protect Rockville from some hazards, the City of Rockville released a report detailing the most pressing issues for residents. These include rising temperatures with intense heat waves, concentrated heavy rainfall, and an increase in the frequency and severity of storms. For homeowners, storm and flood damage are severe concerns. To protect yourself, it’s important to purchase homeowners insurance, and flood insurance—and if possible, avoid buying a home in a flood plain.

If you’re relocating from another area, the cost of living in Rockville may seem steep. Sperling’s Best Places cost of living analysis gives it a score of 140, meaning its cost of living is 40% higher than the national average. The cost of housing is a major contributing factor, coming in at more than double than the U.S. average.

These numbers may seem high, but if you’re looking to relocate to Rockville from a nearby city, the cost of living here may actually be a pro. While Rockville’s cost of living score is 140, Washington D.C.’s is 151, Bethesda’s is 188, and Potomac’s is 192—meaning the cost of living in those locations is even higher than Rockville’s. If you’re looking for a spot in the Greater D.C. area with a lower cost of living, Rockville is right for you. 

3 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 1,524 square feet
Listed by Nathan Dart • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Listed by Ana Dubin • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
BRIGHT MLS #MDMC2076992

5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5,046 square feet
Listed by Michael Matese • Compass
BRIGHT MLS #MDMC2080970

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, square feet
Listed by Eric Stewart • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Listed by Deborah Zech • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
BRIGHT MLS #MDMC2068608

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,298 square feet
Listed by Jim Winn • RE/MAX Realty Group, 301-258-7757 (broker)
BRIGHT MLS #MDMC2072982

5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,520 square feet
Listed by Marie Tongol • TTR Sotheby's International Realty
BRIGHT MLS #MDMC2076678

Let us help. The expert team at the Speicher Group of Long & Foster is experienced, knowledgable, and most of all, we listen. Whether you want to relocate from out of state or move just a couple of streets over, we’ll make it as easy on you as possible. Get in touch today so we can help you conquer your impossible.

All listings provided courtesy of BRIGHT MLS.
Last updated on 01/27/2023 at 6:11PM

Did any of the homes on this list catch your eye? Give us a call today at 301-781-6738 to schedule your showing!