Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbia
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Columbia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbia's average rent is
48% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Columbia | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,069 | $1,400 | +48% |
| Groceries | $450 | $440 | +2% |
| Utilities | $295 | $275 | +7% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $625 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,184 | $2,820 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 130 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbia offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Homewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbia is estimated at
$85,000 vs $55,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Columbia | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,370 | $65,695 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,131 idx | 71,408 idx |
| Household Income | $131,490 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Columbia | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Columbia.
Columbia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Columbia | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 70.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbia is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbia | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,315 | 28,830 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 2.10% |
| 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.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood offers a high quality of life with a strong community feel and excellent local amenities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a robust job market.
Homewood provides convenient access to major employment centers and top-tier healthcare facilities in downtown Birmingham.
The overall cost of living is lower than the national average, despite higher housing costs compared to the broader metro area.
Homewood is noted for its walkability, allowing residents to access many local amenities on foot.
Drawbacks
Housing costs in Homewood are significantly higher than in other parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 82% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
Public transportation options are limited, with only 1% of residents relying on public transit.
Major traffic congestion can be an issue on key routes like US-280, impacting commute times.
The median household income saw a 12.8% decline in 2024, despite a high average household income.
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
Homewood
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,695
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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