Columbia is a mid-sized city located in the state of Maryland. The city has a population of 103,439 people. In Columbia, there are 3,240 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Columbia is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (55%) and Black or African American (26%). If finding a family friendly city is important to you, look no further. With more than 75% of the population considered married and 58% with kids under the age of 18, Columbia could be considered a very suitable city for families.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Columbia could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maryland if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Columbia, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, education and more.
The livability score in Columbia is 79 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Columbia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Columbia is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are seven total categories that create the livability score. Columbia ranks well for education (B) and housing (A+). On a more negative 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.
Finding affordable real estate and apartments for rent in Columbia can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
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. Median real estate prices in Columbia come in at $364,900, which is 25.7% higher than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Columbia, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 5.3% 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% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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