City Comparison
Bowie vs Bel Air South
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bowie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bowie
Bel Air South
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bel Air South is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Bowie.
| Metric | Bowie | Bel Air South | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,370 | $2,187 | +8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $220 | -18% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $3,300 | $3,137 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bowie offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bowie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bowie is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Bel Air South.
| Metric | Bowie | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $83,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,339 idx | 53,162 idx |
| Household Income | $141,995 | $123,653 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bowie runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bowie comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bowie sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bowie | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Bowie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bowie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bowie | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 16.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bel Air South is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bowie | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,383 | 60,008 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 1.30% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bowie
Advantages
Median household income in Bowie is exceptionally high at $141,995, significantly surpassing both state and national averages per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bowie features a low poverty rate of just 3.8%, reflecting strong economic stability across local households.
The city's educational attainment is high, with over 95% of residents holding a high school diploma and a large share possessing bachelor's degrees or higher.
Extensive municipal park systems and recreational facilities provide ample green space and outdoor activities for residents.
Strategic mid-Atlantic location offers seamless commuting access to Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and typical housing expenses are notably higher than the national average, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
High car dependency results in heavy reliance on major regional highways, which experience regular commuter congestion.
Public transit options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to denser urban centers closer to Washington, D.C.
Property tax rates in Prince George's County can place a heavy recurring financial burden on homeowners.
Modest population growth rate paired with limited new multi-family housing inventory constricts rental availability.
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.
Bowie
#352Maryland, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,370
Avg Salary
$83,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
Bel Air South
#443Maryland, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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