Annapolis has more than 40 distinct neighborhoods, but three stand out for homebuyers: Eastport, Murray Hill, and Hillsmere Shores. Each offers a different version of life on the Chesapeake Bay — from Eastport's maritime energy with a median home price of $785,000 to Hillsmere Shores' family-friendly waterfront at $700,000–$900,000 and Murray Hill's historic estates starting near $1.2 million. This guide breaks down the character, costs, schools, and commute logistics for each, so you can match a neighborhood to your priorities as a buyer.
Here's what you need to know up front: Annapolis sits roughly 45 minutes from Washington D.C. and 30 minutes from Baltimore, served by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system with standouts like Annapolis High and Germantown Elementary. The city's real estate market spans a wide band — $400,000 condos to $3 million+ waterfront estates — but each of the three neighborhoods profiled here occupies a different slice of that range. Tax rates run on par with Anne Arundel County averages, and HOA fees are minimal or nonexistent in most single-family zones outside planned communities.
The three picks at a glance:
Eastport — a maritime peninsula with a median home price of $785,000, best for boaters who want downtown on foot.
Murray Hill — a historic, walkable luxury enclave with homes from $900K to $6M+, best for buyers who prize charm and convenience.
Hillsmere Shores — a family-focused South River community with most single-family homes from $700K–$900K, best for buyers who want water access at a lower price.
How the neighborhoods were selected
These three neighborhoods were chosen because they consistently rank highest in buyer searches and broker surveys for the Annapolis market, and each represents a distinct buyer profile: Eastport for boaters and downtown proximity, Murray Hill for historic walkable luxury, and Hillsmere Shores for family-friendly waterfront living at a lower price point. Criteria included property price range, school access, commute time to employment centers, and water-privilege availability.
Eastport: Annapolis's maritime heart for boaters and downtown lovers
Eastport is Annapolis's maritime heart — a walkable peninsula across Spa Creek from downtown, where working boatyards sit alongside $1.07 million median single-family homes. The neighborhood draws buyers who want to walk to their boat: Eastport offers deep-water dockage at the Yacht Centre and multiple community piers, and the Eastport Shopping Center and City Dock are a 5-minute walk or a 2-minute drive. Homes here tend to be older and on narrower streets — many were built as fisherman cottages before the 1950s — but the trade-off is water access and immediate proximity to Annapolis's restaurant and entertainment core.
Price range: $547,500 (townhouse median) to $1.07M+ (single-family median), with an overall median of $785,000. The market runs hot: roughly 3 months of supply in mid-2026, making it a seller's market. HOA fees are rare outside the newer condo buildings. Schools serving the area: Annapolis Elementary, Annapolis Middle, and Annapolis High (IB and AP programs). Commute to D.C.: approximately 45 minutes via US-50 off-peak; peak-hour adds 15–20 minutes.
Murray Hill: Historic walkability in Annapolis's most luxurious neighborhood
Murray Hill sits on a ridge just west of the Historic District, with tree-lined streets, grand brick and frame homes, and direct walking access to the State House and City Dock — roughly 10 minutes on foot. Home values typically range from $900,000 to $6 million+, with a median sale price around $1.2 million. Inventory is chronically low; listings rarely last. Buyers here pay for historic charm (many homes date to the early 1900s), larger lots than the Historic District offers, and in some cases partial or seasonal water views of Spa Creek.
Price range: $900K–$6M+, median ~$1.2M. Recent sale examples: A 5-bed, 6.5-bath home at 5 Franklin St spans 5,900+ sq ft and is listed at $2,086/sq ft (Redfin). A 4-bed, 3.5-bath home at 41 Murray Ave sold for $1,605,000 in June 2025 at approximately $602/sqft, and a 2,280 sq ft home at 34 Lafayette Ave sold for $600,000 in February 2026 at $263/sqft — illustrating the wide spread from charming bungalows to grand estates. Taxes: Anne Arundel County property tax rate of roughly 0.87% of assessed value. Schools: Germantown Elementary, Annapolis Middle, Annapolis High. Commute: walk to downtown, drive to D.C. — 45 minutes off-peak, 60–90 minutes peak. Walk Score: among the highest in Annapolis at 85+, with restaurants, coffee shops, and the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium all within a 1-mile radius.
Hillsmere Shores: The family-friendly waterfront on the South River
Hillsmere Shores is a waterfront community on the South River, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Annapolis. It's purpose-built for families: a swimming pool, private beach, and community marina are included with membership-based HOA access, and the neighborhood has its own elementary school catchment (Hillsmere Elementary). Single-family homes in the $700,000–$900,000 range dominate the market, with HOA fees as low as $2 per month in some sections. Lots are larger than comparable Eastport properties, and many homes have direct water frontage or community water access.
Price range: ~$700K–$900K single-family. Recent sale example: A 3-bed, 2-bath home at 108 Huse Dr sold for $825,000 in March 2026 at $400 per square foot (Redfin). A 4-bed, 4-bath waterfront home at 124 E Bay View Dr sold for $1,025,000 in July 2026 at $252/sqft, reflecting the premium for direct water frontage. Schools: Hillsmere Elementary, Annapolis Middle, Annapolis High (IB program and AP courses). Commute: 10 minutes to downtown Annapolis, 50–55 minutes to D.C. via MD-665 to US-50 (about 5 minutes longer than Eastport due to local road access). Amenities: Community pool, private beach on the South River, marina with kayak launch, and the Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association that runs summer events and maintains the common grounds.
