City Comparison
Columbia vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
View Folsom profile
We're still gathering intelligence for Folsom. Refresh in a moment for full data.
Columbia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbia
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Columbia | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,069 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $295 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,184 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbia offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Columbia | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,370 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Columbia | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Columbia.
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 | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbia is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Columbia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbia | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,315 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | — |
| Median Age | 39.4 | |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Folsom
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Columbia
#441Maryland, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,069
Avg Salary
$70,370
Cost Index
130
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
82
Business
70
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Columbia and Folsom.
Open Cost Calculator