City Comparison
Towson vs Bel Air South
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Towson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Towson
Bel Air South
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Towson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Towson's average rent is
15% lower than Bel Air South's.
| Metric | Towson | Bel Air South | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $2,187 | -15% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $220 | -18% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,810 | $3,137 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Towson offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Towson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Towson is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Bel Air South.
| Metric | Towson | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 53,162 idx |
| Household Income | $101,320 | $123,653 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Towson runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Towson comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Towson sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Towson | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Towson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Towson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Towson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Towson | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/100 | 16.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | 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 | Towson | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,257 | 60,008 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.33% | 1.30% |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Towson
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $101,320, reflecting strong local economic vitality per Census data.
Home to top-tier healthcare systems including GBMC and UM St. Joseph Medical Center.
Vibrant educational presence anchored by Towson University and Goucher College.
Abundant retail and dining choices centered around the prominent Towson Town Center.
Proximity to scenic outdoor recreational areas like Lake Roland Park and regional trail networks.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is intense, with median property values reaching approximately $469,000.
Overall cost of living is notably higher than the national baseline, driven primarily by housing premiums.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown commercial core.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like York Road during peak hours can lengthen commutes.
Rental options can be tight and expensive due to high demand from students and young professionals.
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.
Towson
#325Maryland, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
37.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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