ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that Columbia has been named Maryland’s “Happiest Cities in America” for 2024 by WalletHub. Ranked in the top ten happiest cities in America, Columbia previously ranked in top ten in 2022 and 2023. Baltimore, the only other city in Maryland to make the list in 2024, ranked 160 out of 182.
This continued recognition speaks to our ongoing efforts to ensure we are offering all our residents the best the quality of life. People want to live, work, play and grow here because of our quality schools, flourishing hub of arts and culture, recreational activities and green space, robust businesses and the strong sense of community. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive community, Columbia and Howard County as a whole, continue to thrive.
The personal finance outlet, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest U.S. cities to determine which is home to the happiest people in America. The outlet examined each city based on 29 key indicators of happiness, ranging from income-growth rate to depression rate and average leisure time spent per day. Columbia ranked notably in the following metrics:
- 5th – Emotional & Physical Well-Being
- 170th – Income & Employment
- 60th – Community & Environment
This latest recognition joins Columbia’s long list of accolades, which, within the last year has included Columbia being name one of the Safest Cities in America, Best Places to Raise a Family, Best Places to Live in the U.S. and Best City for Summer Jobs.