No matter your race, ethnicity, gender or sexuality — you’re welcome in Maryland. Maryland is the most diverse state on the East Coast. Here, you’ll find the top three most diverse cities in the U.S., and feel an overall sense of belonging.
LGBTQ+
An Inclusive and LGBTQ+ Friendly State
Women
#1
State for gender equality.
Minorities
#1
Best state for minority entrepreneurs
Women thrive here.
Maryland leads the nation in gender equality with women having equal opportunities in education, economy, health, representation and power, and family planning and care. Columbia dominated 182 other cities in WalletHub’s analysis of the Best Cities for Women, and Baltimore has been recognized as leading city for women in technology.
“There is such rich diversity here – a true mix of people. You can see there’s a conscious effort to celebrate differences and foster inclusivity.”
Arija Chief of Staff, Cloudforce
Diverse Cities: Find Your Community
Moving isn’t just about finding a job and a home. We all crave a sense of community. And finding a community becomes a whole lot easier when a place offers diverse and accepting cities. Explore some of Maryland’s neighborhoods that are most well known for their diversity and inclusion.
With many LGBTQ-friendly venues and activities, Baltimore is a diverse city that welcomes and celebrates LGBTQ individuals. Be unapologetically you in Baltimore and find endless entertainment – from drag brunch on the weekends, to epic Pride celebrations, to run-ins with the filmmaker and LGBTQ icon John Waters, a Batlimorean. Check out some of Baltimore’s welcoming neighborhoods like Charles Village, Mt. Vernon and Hampden, home to many proud, LGBTQ owned businesses.
Just outside Washington D.C., Silver Spring is one of the nation’s most diverse cities. The town offers ethnic diversity, and endless ways to explore and experience different cultures and traditions in one welcoming community. Sitting within the nation’s largest biotech hubs, Silver Spring and surrounding communities aren’t just diverse, they’re rife with job opportunities.
Columbia
Central Maryland
Columbia has been a model town for embracing diversity since the 1960s, and that still rings true today. In addition to gaining recognition as a leader in equality for women, Columbia, which sits directly between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, has been recognized as a leading city for people with disabilities.
Continue Exploring Maryland
Continue learning about life in Maryland.
Financial Security
Make a good salary in Maryland, and tap into programs to help you pay off student loans or buy a house.
Maryland has one of the best public school systems in U.S. So whether you have small children now, or kids are a “maybe someday” for you, Maryland is a family-friendly state.
