Town In Howard County Named Best City To Find A Job In MD

COLUMBIA, MD — A community in Howard County has been named the Best City to Find a Job in the state and the third Best City to Find a Job in the nation, according to personal finance platform WalletHub’s 2025 list.

Scottsdale, Arizona, took the top spot, while Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, came in second.

WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 31 key indicators of job market strength such as job opportunities, employment growth and monthly average starting salary. Columbia ranked first in Maryland and third nationally overall, in part due to having the highest median household income in the country at nearly $124,000, adjusted for the cost of living.

Rent prices are relatively affordable for the high quality of life and amenities, helping offset the costs of living with the median income. The average annual fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around 16% of the median household income in Columbia. That’s the sixth-lowest percentage in the country, according to WalletHub.

“Time and time again, Columbia is recognized nationally for being an excellent place to live, work, play, grow and thrive for all,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This latest recognition is a welcome affirmation of our ongoing commitment to making Columbia a premier destination for job seekers and employers alike. Whether it’s our Columbia Gateway Master Plan or the revitalization of downtown Columbia continues to be a welcoming place for those who choose to live and work here.”

“Columbia’s recognition as one of the top places in the nation to find a job reflects the strength of our local economy, the innovation of our businesses, and the resilience of our workforce,” added Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “Howard County continues to create an environment where businesses can thrive and employees can build meaningful careers. This ranking underscores our commitment to fostering economic opportunity and maintaining a dynamic job market.”

In terms of job security, WalletHub’s analysts found that jobs in Columbia have the ninth-lowest share of jobs that are likely to be automated in the near future.

"We are thrilled, but not surprised, that Columbia ranks so highly as one of the best cities for jobs," said Stephanie Adibe, administrator of the Howard County Office of Workforce Development. "Our Office of Workforce Development has worked diligently to create and promote programs, like our Youth Apprenticeship Program, to make sure our job force is trained and ready for the workforce. Working together with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, we are tackling it from all angles to unite workers with jobs to create meaningful employment."

Columbia also ranks fourth when it comes to net employment outlook, which measures the quarterly percentage of employers who expect to add employees minus the percentage who expect to have fewer of them.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s most recent available statistics in November 2024, Howard County’s projected unemployment rate is 2.6 percent, ranking second in the state behind Carroll County at 2.4 percent. The state unemployment rate for November is projected at 3.3 percent.

At No. 45, Baltimore is the only other Maryland city on WalletHub’s list, while nearby Washington, D.C., came in at No. 8. For the complete list of rankings, visit WalletHub.