September 23, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Columbia is the only town in Maryland to be ranked this year
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – This week, Columbia was ranked 5th on Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list. Money Magazine ranked the “Best Places to Live” by examining economic factors, like employment opportunities, as well as supply and demand for homes, cost of living, quality of schools, racial and economic diversity and health and safety. This year’s rankings were out of 823 U.S. small cities, which were defined as those with populations between 50,000 and 300,000.
“It is humbling to be the only place in Maryland to make the list and is a testament to our continued investment in our quality of life. We’ve always known how special Columbia is, and it’s wonderful to see it receive the well-deserved recognition as one of the best places to live,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Throughout the years, we’ve seen Columbia flourish as a central hub of arts and culture, inclusionary ideals, and an example of sustainability and green living. Columbia truly embodies Jim Rouse’s vision as a ‘city of hope’ and we are committed to ensuring our community is the best place to live, work, and play for all.”
Columbia has regularly been in Money Magazine’s Top 10, ranking No. 1 in 2016, and ranked jointly with Ellicott City at No. 4 in 2006, No. 8 in 2008, No. 2 in 2010, No. 8 in 2012 and No. 6 in 2014. Ellicott City was ranked separately this year.