iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Columbia’s location in the heart of Howard County and proximity to Washington, D.C., entices residents to this community that blends nature, culture and innovation. Great schools, pristine parks and a focus on sustainability make it a great place to live.
More About Living in Maryland
- Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Southeast
- Best Places To Live in Maryland
- Why You Should Move to the Baltimore Area
Home > Best Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023 > Columbia, MD
Columbia, MD, Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America
Locals have lots to love when it comes to life in Columbia, MD, which has several well-planned, walkable neighborhoods connecting residents to schools, stores and parks. Highly ranked schools, diverse residents and community treasures like Color Burst Park, which hosts free fitness classes, concerts and more, build on the reasons why Columbia is one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Columbia is also a community that prizes inclusivity, with an ADA-compliant “Play-for-All” playground at Blandair Regional Park, where families gather at baseball fields, multi-use turf, tennis courts and a Challenge Course. Residents in Columbia are entertained with endless opportunities to have fun in the city. The Columbia Festival of the Arts (think concerts, exhibits, workshops and more) adds a burst of creativity to the city each year, while live music and public art can be enjoyed year-round.
Columbia is a part of Howard County, recognized as one of the most highly educated areas in the region. The economy is resilient, with businesses enjoying a central location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and a talent pipeline with highly educated workers. Some of the county’s biggest employers include Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Verizon and Coastal Sunbelt Produce. Residents can always build upon their skills or prepare for a new career at Howard Community College, which offers two-year degree and certificate programs built with high-demand careers in mind.
One more thing: Whether you’re visiting Columbia or house hunting, you’ll probably notice the street names are literary references!
Columbia, MD Quality of Life LivScore
How We Calculate Our Data
Columbia, MD Top Categories
Education
Transportation
Economy
Columbia ranks highest for education, transportation and economy.
Amenities70
Amenities: things to do for every interest, plus access to parks and healthy food. Sample metrics: Dining Variety, Museums, Sporting Events & Stadiums, Political Engagement
Economy80
Economy: diverse, thriving local economies with strong employment opportunities and income growth. Sample metrics: Industrial Diversity, Unemployment, Income Relative Change
Education90
Education: feature an educated population and high-quality schools at all levels of education. Sample metrics: School Quality, Years of School, College Access
Environment64
Environment: minimize natural disaster risk, have good air quality and reasonable population density. Sample metrics: Earthquake Risk, Climate Suitability Subscore
Health64
Health: positive health outcomes and easy access to excellent healthcare. Sample metrics: Life Expectancy, Doctor & Hospital Access
Housing & Cost of Living49
Housing & Cost of Living: relatively affordable housing for renters and owners, reasonable taxes and an overall modest cost of living. Sample metrics: Tax Rates, Percent Below Poverty Level, Rental & Home Affordability Ratios
Safety64
Safety: relatively low crime rates. Sample metrics: Murder, Larceny
Transportation82
Transportation: drivable, walkable, bikeable and more with short commutes. Samplemetrics: Multimodal Intersection Density, Vehicles Per Household
Weather and Outdoor Activities in Columbia, MD
What is the weather like in Columbia?
Residents are treated to all four seasons in Columbia, with hot summers, cold winters, spring showers and fall colors. The average highs and lows are 85°F and 61°F (summer) and 45°F and 24°F (winter).
Does Columbia get a lot of snow?
The average annual snowfall in Columbia is roughly 20 inches per year. The coldest month is typically January, with an average low temperature of around 23 degrees.
Does Columbia get a lot of rain?
The average annual rainfall in Columbia is 45 inches. The wettest months are usually July and August.
How many sunny days does Columbia get?
Columbia averages 213 sunny days a year.
What are some things to do outside in Columbia?
Kayak, canoe or paddleboat on Lake Kittamaqundi.
Columbia Weather
213 days
Average Annual Sun
45 inches
Average Annual Rain
20 inches
Average Annual Snow
Things To Do in Columbia, MD
What are some free things to do in Columbia?
Explore the Howard County Farmers Market (open May through November). You’ll love the local finds and live music.
What are some fun things to do with kids in Columbia?
Visit the Robinson Nature Center, which has a planetarium system. The “free flight” mode allows kids to explore the universe like they’re astronauts.
Where should you take a date in Columbia?
Try 18th and 21st, which has a speakeasy feel, live music and modern riffs on classic co*cktails (like a lavender Bee’s Knees).
What is the best coffee shop in Columbia?
Start your day off at Roggenart, where you can pair your espresso with a Reese’s peanut butter croissant.
The Local and State Economy in Columbia, MD
What are the three largest industries in Columbia?
Because of the city’s proximity to Washington D.C., the major industries in Columbia include government and defense, health care and IT.
What is the sales tax rate in Columbia?
In 2023, the sales tax rate in Columbia is 6%.
Who are the major health care providers in Columbia?
Howard County General Hospital is part of the John Hopkins Medicine System and one of Columbia’s largest employers and health care providers. Residents also have access to several other wellness networks, including MedStar Health, Kaiser Permanente and LifeBridge Health.
Does Maryland have a state income tax?
Yes, Maryland has a state income tax.
What colleges and universities are in Columbia?
Howard Community College is located in Columbia.
Quick Facts About Columbia, MD
- Median Household Income
- $113,934
- Median Home Value
- $455,220
- Average State Property Tax
- $3,633
- Total Population
- 106,498
- Median Rent/Mo.
- $1,588
- Average Commute
- 22.72 minutes
Columbia’s well-planned, walkable neighborhoods, highly ranked schools and diverse residents helped it rank as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Learn more about Columbia, MD, and find out why you should consider moving to the Baltimore area. Another moving resource: The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Place To Live.
Continue Reading Best Places To Live in the US in 2023
- Columbia, MD
- Hillsboro, OR
- Fort Collins, CO
- Cheektowaga, NY
- Asheville, NC
- Amarillo, TX
- Sandy, UT
- Jersey City, NJ
- Alafaya, FL
- Metairie, LA
- Lawrence, KS
- Iowa City, IA
- Olathe, KS
- Tempe, AZ
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Rochester, MN
- Norman, OK
- Peoria, IL
- Beaverton, OR
- Edmond, OK
- Castle Rock, CO
- Nashua, NH
- Fall River, MA
- Provo, UT
- Johns Creek, GA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Elk Grove, CA
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Cincinnati, OH
- Knoxville, TN
- Flower Mound, TX
- Bloomington, MN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Appleton, WI
- Manchester, NH
- Wichita, KS
- Carmel, IN
- Round Rock, TX
- Parma, OH
- Concord, NC
- Lexington, KY
- Tacoma, WA
- Missoula, MT
- Broomfield, CO
- Rochester Hills, MI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Spokane, WA
- Henderson, NV
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Fayetteville, AR
- Sugar Land, TX
- Chandler, AZ
- Hoover, AL
- Lowell, MA
- St. Louis, MO
- Eugene, OR
- Cary, NC
- Warwick, RI
- Meridian, ID
- Broken Arrow, OK
- Bloomington, IL
- Rio Rancho, NM
- Overland Park, KS
- Evanston, IL
- Omaha, NE
- Madison, WI
- Worcester, MA
- Reno, NV
- Fishers, IN
- Cranston, RI
- Franklin, TN
- Lincoln, NE
- Frederick, MD
- Davenport, IA
- Naperville, IL
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Orem, UT
- Boise, ID
- Danbury, CT
- Des Moines, IA
- Troy, MI
- Thornton, CO
- Norwalk, CT
- Fargo, ND
- Clovis, CA
- Midland, TX
- Roswell, GA
- Vancouver, WA
- Bethlehem, PA
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Durham, NC
- Clifton, NJ
- Lee’s Summit, MO
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Louisville, KY
- Charleston, SC
- Orlando, FL
