HOME SAFETY MD

Is Silver Spring, MD Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 56/100

Score 56/100 · Risk: moderate · Water Grade C · Updated 2026-05-03

Silver Spring has moderate risk. Some factors warrant attention during the home buying process.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS, EPA Radon Zones Last verified: 2026-05-03

Proportionally, safety repair costs in Silver Spring represent a modest share of what most homeowners carry in property equity.

Water Grade

ZIPs Over Lead Limit

0.44%

In Flood Zones

Zone 1

Radon (High)

AQI (Moderate)

$2,069

Est. Remediation

0.5%

Equity Trap Ratio

What is a home safety score?

The home safety score (0-100) combines multiple environmental risk factors into a single number: water quality grade, lead contamination levels, flood zone exposure, radon risk, and air quality. A higher score means lower overall risk. The score helps homebuyers compare neighborhoods at a glance. Silver Spring scores 56/100 with a "moderate" risk level.

Remediation Cost Breakdown

Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Silver Spring:

Radon $1,200

Flood Insurance $525

Pfas $344

Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.

Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores

Safety scores vary across Silver Spring's 16 ZIP codes.

ZIP Code	Score	Grade
20902	52	D	View report →
20906	52	D	View report →
20907	55	C	View report →
20908	55	C	View report →
20911	55	C	View report →
20914	55	C	View report →
20915	55	C	View report →
20916	55	C	View report →
20918	55	C	View report →
20993	55	C	View report →
20997	55	C	View report →
20901	57	C	View report →
20904	57	C	View report →
20910	57	C	View report →
20903	62	C	View report →

Home Safety Overview

Silver Spring, Maryland has moderate risk for homebuyers. The average home safety score is 56/100 across 16 ZIP codes. Some risk factors warrant attention during the home buying process.

Safety Score Card

A composite view of Silver Spring's key risk indicators:

Risk Factor	Value	Assessment
Water Quality	Grade C (56/100)	Moderate risk
Lead Risk	Testing pending	Low risk
Flood Risk	44% in flood zones	Elevated risk
Radon	Zone 1 (High)	Elevated risk
Air Quality	AQI 57 (Moderate)	Moderate risk

Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown

Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Silver Spring:

Component	Estimated Cost
Radon	$1K
Flood Insurance	$525
Pfas	$344
Total (low estimate)	$1K
Total (mid estimate)	$2K
Total (high estimate)	$3K

Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.

Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores

Home safety varies across Silver Spring's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:

ZIP Code	Safety Score	Grade
20902	52	D
20906	52	D
20907	55	C
20908	55	C
20911	55	C
20914	55	C
20915	55	C
20916	55	C
20918	55	C
20993	55	C
20997	55	C
20901	57	C
20904	57	C
20910	57	C
20903	62	C

Silver Spring vs. Nearby Maryland Cities

How Silver Spring's overall risk compares to similar cities in Maryland:

City	Water Grade	Flood Claims	Population
Silver Spring	C	208	1,248
Ashton	D	1	1,248
Bladensburg	D	8	1,248
Brentwood	D	47	1,248

Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Silver Spring

Before purchasing a home in Silver Spring, Maryland, complete these checks:

Water Quality

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)

Radon

Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Silver Spring is in Radon Zone 1 (High risk) — testing is strongly recommended

Flood Risk

Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
44% of Silver Spring is in flood zones — verify insurance requirements

Lead Paint & Pipes

For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
73% of Silver Spring homes built before 1986 — pipe inspection recommended

General

Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system

Data Sources

Water quality: EPA SDWIS
Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
Flood: FEMA NFIP
Radon: EPA Radon Zones
Air quality: EPA AirNow
Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)

Updated daily.

Water Quality Map: Silver Spring, MD

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Check your specific ZIP code

City averages can hide neighborhood-level risks. Enter your ZIP for a personalized home safety score.

Check Your Home Safety Score

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Silver Spring safe to buy a home?

Silver Spring has a moderate risk rating (score: 56/100). Some factors like water quality or flood risk may warrant attention during the buying process.

What is the home safety score for Silver Spring?

Silver Spring has a home safety score of 56 out of 100, combining water quality (grade C), lead risk, flood exposure, radon levels, and air quality into a single metric.

How much does remediation cost in Silver Spring?

The estimated average remediation cost for a typical home in Silver Spring is $2,069. This includes potential costs for water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood-proofing based on local risk factors.

What is the equity trap ratio in Silver Spring?

The equity trap ratio in Silver Spring is 0.5%, which measures remediation costs as a percentage of median home value. This is low — remediation costs are a small fraction of home value.

Is radon a concern in Silver Spring?

Silver Spring is in EPA Radon Zone 1 (High risk). This is the highest risk zone — EPA recommends testing all homes.

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