Living in Columbia, Maryland
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 104,338 residents with a median age of 39.4. The median household income is $131,490 (27% higher than the Maryland median), the median home value is $497,400, the median rent is $2,042/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 104,338
- Median age
- 39.4State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $131,490State: $103,678
- Median home value
- $497,400State: $419,900
- Median rent
- $2,042/moState: $1,705
- Homeowners
- 64.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 63.6%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 27% higher than the Maryland median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 7.5%.
Cons: Home values 18% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $497,400, 50% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,042 per month, which is 27.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,713 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490 and the income per person is $64,255. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Maryland: 9.4%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 43,280
- Owner-occupied
- 64.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.2%
- Vacant
- 4.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.52
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 104,338
- Median age
- 39.4
- Under 18
- 21%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 41,143
- Foreign-born
- 20.8%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
63.6% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maryland: 43.4%), and 34.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 24.8%
- Drive alone
- 65.5%
- Public transit
- 2%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.8%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 104,338 | $131,490 | $497,400 | $2,042 |
| Savage | 8,239 | $116,895 | $424,300 | $2,053 |
| Fulton | 5,677 | $222,039 | $913,100 | $3,074 |
| Scaggsville | 10,564 | $207,220 | $668,500 | $3,501 |
| North Laurel | 25,563 | $122,949 | $450,100 | $2,031 |
| Ilchester | 28,364 | $152,103 | $532,400 | $2,115 |
| Ellicott City | 75,257 | $156,964 | $661,700 | $2,061 |
| Highland | 972 | $250,001 | $914,000 | — |
| Jessup | 9,931 | $128,851 | $462,000 | $2,187 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, MD?
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490, 27% higher than the Maryland median of $103,678 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $497,400, compared with $419,900 in Maryland.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $2,042 per month, about 27.9% of household income.
Is Columbia, MD a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 27% higher than the Maryland median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 7.5%. Minuses: home values 18% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 39.4 years (Maryland: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 28 minutes; 24.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
63.6% of adults in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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