Murray Hill vs. West Annapolis: Which Neighborhood is Right for You?
Lifestyle and Vibe: Historic Charm vs. Coastal Village.
I get asked about Murray Hill vs. West Annapolis more than almost any other neighborhood question, so let’s actually dig into it. Both sit just outside the historic district, both are walkable, and both give you water access, but the similarities pretty much stop there. Here’s the breakdown I give clients when they’re deciding between the two.
Murray Hill
Murray Hill is tucked just off West Street, and it has that old Annapolis feel, tree-lined streets, early 1900s homes that have been well taken care of, sidewalks you’ll actually use. You can walk to coffee on West Street or put a kayak in off Spa Creek. It tends to draw empty nesters and downsizers, plus young families who want quiet without giving up their downtown access.
West Annapolis
West Annapolis is over the bridge past the Naval Academy, right along the Severn, and it runs more like its own little town than a neighborhood. Annapolis Street is the center of it, a handful of local cafes, a few boutiques, an antique shop or two, and the community actually shows up for things like the annual Oktoberfest and the winter holiday market. Lots tend to be bigger here, and the housing stock is more mixed: older cottages next to newer luxury builds along the water.
Annapolis’s overall median home price is sitting around $650,000–$700,000 right now, and both of these neighborhoods run well above that, just for different reasons.
Murray Hill Market Dynamics
Murray Hill is one of the tightest markets in the city. That $1,242 per square foot isn’t really about size — it’s about scarcity. Historic homes here don’t turn over often; they get passed down or sold quietly before they’re ever listed. If you’re trying to get in at a lower price point, look at the smaller inland rowhomes and bungalows starting around $1 million.
West Annapolis Market Dynamics
West Annapolis gives you more room for your money per square foot (~$683), mostly because the lot sizes and home types vary so much. You’ll see 1940s cottages on one end and multi-million-dollar new construction on the other, with plenty of waterfront along Weems Creek and the Severn in between. It also turns over a bit more than Murray Hill, so there are more chances to catch something.
If I had to sum it up: Murray Hill is for people who want walkable, historic, and close to downtown. West Annapolis is for people who want a real sense of community and a little more space. Happy to walk either neighborhood with you in person, or set up a listing alert so you see new homes the moment they come up. Just reach out.
Want to see what’s actually on the market right now? Take a look at current Murray Hill listings, or browse homes for sale in West Annapolis.
Written by Jennifer Chino of Anchored Home of Compass
