Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Columbia, MD
🏆 Columbia leads 10 of 19 categories
Carrollton
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380
Violent Crime Index
36
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Columbia
Maryland
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$124,537 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
106,600
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($327,300 vs $458,700)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $340/mo less ($1,555 vs $1,895)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 43°F
Cons
Median income trails Columbia by $29,157/yr
Columbia, MD
Pros
Households earn $29,157 more per year on average
More college-educated — 63.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $458,700
Higher rents — median is $1,895/mo
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$131k less
$327,300 vs $458,700
Carrollton
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 88.6°F
Columbia
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Median Income
$29,157
$124,537 vs $95,380/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $458,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,895⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 | $124,537 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) | A (123) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 13.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 63.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Howard County Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 42.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 49.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 28.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 106,600 |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 21.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 16.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Columbia's 102.7 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Columbia leads 10 of 19 categories. Carrollton wins 9 and Columbia wins 10. 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 Carrollton to Columbia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $458,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $124,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Columbia, MD are about 1,195 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.