Columbia Ranks Among Top 10 Happiest Cities In America: Survey

COLUMBIA, MD — Residents in Columbia may agree with WalletHub's latest ranking of their city as eighth in the Happiest Cities in America survey. WalletHub analyzed more than 180 of the country’s largest cities across 31 indicators of happiness including depression rates, income growth and leisure time. Columbia previously ranked 36th in 2020.

“Howard County’s success is driven by our optimism, positivity and ability to find the good in every situation,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement. “Jim Rouse envisioned Columbia to be a model community across the nation as the best place to live, work and play, and our residents commit to making it a reality every day. Especially after this past year – our residents have demonstrated the resilience of our community.”

To determine the level of happiness, WalletHub compared cities across 31 key indicators. The data set ranges from the depression rate to the income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day. Columbia ranked notably in the following metrics:

• 4th – emotional and physical well-being
• 95th – income and employment
• 102nd – community and environment

"It is wonderful to be recognized on a national level for the economic vitality, sense of community, commitment to health and overall wellbeing, and an abundance of open space areas we value here in Columbia," Columbia Association President/CEO Milton W. Matthews said in a statement. "We know these principles are the foundation for joy in everyday life, and Columbia Association is proud to have such an integral role in bolstering the happiness that is so important to the people who choose to live, work and play here."

Columbia also was ranked second in 2021 by WalletHub as the Best City for Jobs and in 2020 as the Safest City in America.