Columbia, Maryland, known as "The Planned Community," is a picturesque and thriving city located near Baltimore and Washington, D.C. With its beautiful green spaces, strong local economy, and rich cultural heritage, Columbia offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban tranquility and urban amenities makes living in Columbia an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Columbia enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, lakes, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Robinson Nature Center are popular destinations that celebrate the city's natural beauty and cultural richness. The annual Columbia Festival of the Arts and the Howard County Fair are events that showcase Columbia's vibrant community spirit.
Columbia's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, education, and technology. The city's strategic location near Baltimore and Washington, D.C. provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in both metropolitan areas. Major employers in the area include Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the Howard County Public School System.
Columbia places a strong emphasis on community health and wellness, with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and health programs available to residents. The city's commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle contributes to the overall well-being of its community.
Public transportation in Columbia is well-developed, with access to Howard Transit buses and MARC Train service, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Columbia's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Columbia offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Columbia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Maryland. The city has a population of 105,412 residents. Columbia has a population density of 3,301 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Columbia is mostly populated by White (50%) and Black or African American (28%) ethnic groups. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Columbia offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Columbia, Maryland. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Columbia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Maryland and national averages.
Using data and statistics Columbia has received a livability score of 79 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 94th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the United States average, Columbia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Columbia also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Columbia ranks well for education (B-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Columbia does not have favorable ranks for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Columbia market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Columbia real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Columbia. The median home price for Columbia homes is $385,900, which is 32.9% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Columbia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 7.9% lower than the Maryland average.
| Statistic | Columbia | Maryland | National |
| Average one way commute | 31min | 32min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.0% | 73.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.6% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.4% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.3% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 10.3% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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