Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Columbia, MD
🏆 Columbia leads 12 of 20 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
96,076
Columbia
Maryland
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$124,537 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
106,600 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
Rent averages $510/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,895)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 43°F
Cons
Median income trails Columbia by $60,058/yr
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 4.0%)
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Columbia
Columbia, MD
Pros
Households earn $60,058 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (4.0%)
More college-educated — 63.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 94°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,895/mo
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 88.6°F
Columbia
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Median Income
$60,058
$124,537 vs $64,479/yr
Columbia
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
4.0% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Columbia, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $458,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,895⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $124,537 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A (123) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 63.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Howard County Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 42.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer | 88.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 49.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 28.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 106,600 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 16.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Columbia's 102.7 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Columbia leads 12 of 20 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 8 and Columbia wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arden-Arcade to Columbia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $458,700 median home), income ($64,479 vs $124,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Columbia, MD are about 2,370 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.