Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbia
Bel Air South
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bel Air South is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Columbia.
| Metric | Columbia | Bel Air South | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,069 | $2,187 | -5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $295 | $220 | +34% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,184 | $3,137 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 130 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbia offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Columbia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbia is estimated at
$85,000 vs $65,000 in Bel Air South.
| Metric | Columbia | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,370 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,131 idx | 53,162 idx |
| Household Income | $131,490 | $123,653 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Columbia | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Columbia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Columbia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Columbia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Columbia | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 16.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbia is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Bel Air South.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Columbia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbia | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,315 | 60,008 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 1.30% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Columbia
Advantages
Columbia was ranked the 8th safest American city in 2024 by WalletHub.
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490 (2024), significantly higher than the national average.
The city boasts an extensive network of 94 miles of pathways and 3,600 acres of open space, promoting walkability and outdoor activities.
Columbia was named Maryland's 'Happiest City' for 2026 by WalletHub, reflecting high emotional and physical well-being.
Access to high-quality healthcare is provided by the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center and other facilities.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Columbia is 30% higher than the national average, primarily driven by high housing costs.
Housing expenses are 91% higher than the national average, making homeownership and renting expensive.
Columbia's overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% above the national average as of 2026, with a safety grade of C-.
Maryland's new business applications fell by 6% in 2024, indicating a slowdown in new business creation.
Major parkways like Snowden River Parkway and Broken Land Parkway experience fast-moving and congested traffic.
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Columbia
#5Maryland, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,069
Avg Salary
$70,370
Cost Index
130
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
82
Business
70
Bel Air South
#53Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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