Signals
Bel Air
Columbia
Climate
71 · Top 49%
vs73 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
94 · Top 7%
vs95 · Top 3%
Housing affordability
72 · Bottom 36%
vs90 · Top 32%
Access
86 · Bottom 32%
vs98 · Top 20%
Economic stability
59 · Bottom 46%
vs72 · Top 23%
Measured values
| Metric | Bel Air | Columbia | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,585 | 104,338 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $74,605 | $131,490 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,446 | $64,255 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,485/sq mi | 3,267/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $318,400 | $497,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,492 | $2,042 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.2% | 64.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.0% | 63.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 7.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 86°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 45.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 30 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.2 min | 30.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.6 | 39.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Bel Air, MD · Columbia, MD · How this is calculated: methodology