21044 scores 14.5 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index (above average walkable). There is 1 supermarket within a mile of the center of the ZIP; the closest is Giant Food, about 0.4 miles away.

How far is the nearest Metro station from 21044?

The closest Metro station to the center of 21044 is Greenbelt, about 13.2 miles away in a straight line.

How much does it cost to live in 21044?

In 21044, median rent is $1,923 a month and the median home value is $514,400, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2022 5-year estimates.

How much does it cost to move to Columbia, MD 21044?

Red Cat's local flat rates start at $240 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $780 for a 2-bedroom house. The price is set before moving day and doesn't change if the move takes longer. No deposit.

Moving to Columbia, MD 21044

West Columbia's 21044 covers the villages of Wilde Lake, Harper's Choice and Hickory Ridge, plus part of Town Center near Lake Kittamaqundi and Merriweather Post Pavilion. Each village mixes townhouse clusters, garden apartments and detached houses linked by wooded pathways. Route 29 and Route 32 handle most commuting, with commuter buses running toward DC from Howard County park-and-ride lots.

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Columbia, MD 21044 at a glance.

ZIP 21044, Howard County. Tap a card for the details.

SafetyNo data for this ZIPSee the map
Walkability14.5Above average walkableEPA index, out of 20See the map
GroceryTrader Joe'sover 2 miWhole Foods1.6 miMOM's Organicover 2 miSee the map
Restaurants17+popular spots4 must visitwithin 1.5 milesSee the list
Cafes10cafeswithin 1.5 milesSee the list
Schools64schoolswithin 5 miles · 47 public, 17 privateSee the list
Climate & AirComing soonSee the weather
People45,100residentsmedian household income $123,658See the data

Top picks near 21044

The most-reviewed restaurants and cafes within a mile and a half, on Google.

Blackwall Barn & Lodge ColumbiaMust visit
American Restaurant · $$$ · 6000 Merriweather Dr Ste B140, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
2,306 reviews · 1.1 mi
Cured 18th & 21stMust visit
American Restaurant · 10980 Grantchester Wy #110, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
1,667 reviews · 1.1 mi
Clove & Cardamom RestaurantMust visit
Indian Restaurant · 6000 Merriweather Dr B115, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.7
1,555 reviews · 1.1 mi
Smashing Grapes ColumbiaMust visit
Restaurant · $$ · 6200 Valencia Ln c125, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
1,140 reviews · 1.1 mi
The Food Market
American Restaurant · $$ · 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy G150, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.5
1,580 reviews · 1.4 mi
Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee Shop · $ · 5755 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
5.0
4 reviews · 1 mi

Reported crime around 21044.

Reported incidents from police data. A map shows where they happened; numbers alone can't tell one block from the next.

We don't have crime data for this ZIP. The police departments here don't publish where incidents happen. Our crime maps cover Washington, DC, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Baltimore City and Prince William County.

Life without a car around 21044.

Grocery stores and Metro stations near Columbia, MD. Pick a store to see only that chain.

4 grocery stores and 0 Metro stations within 2 miles of 21044

Grocery store
Metro station

Nearest grocery stores

Giant Food6480 Freetown Rd, Columbia0.4 mi
Safeway5485 Harpers Farm Rd Ste A, Columbia1.5 mi
Lidl10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia1.6 mi
Whole Foods Market10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia1.6 mi

Nearest Metro stations

No Metro stations within 2 miles.

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator and WMATA via DC GIS · supermarkets that accept SNAP; distances are straight-line from the center of 21044. Store icons are each chain's own website icon. Updated 2026-10-26.

Grocery stores within 1 mile

One or two nearby

Nearest: Giant Food, 0.4 mi

Nearest Metro station

13.2 mi

A short drive or bus ride

Greenbelt

EPA Walkability Index

14.5 / 20

Above average walkable

Average of 10 Census block groups within about half a mile

The EPA National Walkability Index scores every U.S. neighborhood from 1 to 20 on connected streets, nearby transit and the mix of shops, jobs and homes: above 15 is among the most walkable places in the country, below 6 usually means driving for most errands.

The most popular places to eat near 21044.

The busiest restaurants within about a mile and a half of Columbia, by number of Google reviews. "Must visit" means 4.6 stars or better from 1,000+ reviews.

Smashing Grapes ColumbiaMust visit
Restaurant · $$ · 6200 Valencia Ln c125, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
1,140 reviews · 1.1 mi
Blackwall Barn & Lodge ColumbiaMust visit
American Restaurant · $$$ · 6000 Merriweather Dr Ste B140, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
2,306 reviews · 1.1 mi
Clove & Cardamom RestaurantMust visit
Indian Restaurant · 6000 Merriweather Dr B115, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.7
1,555 reviews · 1.1 mi
Cured 18th & 21stMust visit
American Restaurant · 10980 Grantchester Wy #110, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.6
1,667 reviews · 1.1 mi
The Food Market
American Restaurant · $$ · 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy G150, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.5
1,580 reviews · 1.4 mi
Dok Khao Thai Columbia
Thai Restaurant · $$ · 6000 Merriweather Dr Ste B155, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.4
1,679 reviews · 1.2 mi
Banditos Bar & Kitchen Columbia
Mexican Restaurant · $$ · 6000 Merriweather Dr, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.3
1,111 reviews · 1.2 mi
Uncle Julio's Columbia
Restaurant · $$ · 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.2
2,816 reviews · 1.5 mi
Busboys and Poets - Columbia
Restaurant · $$ · 6251 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.1
2,187 reviews · 1.2 mi

The most popular coffee near 21044.

The busiest cafes and coffee shops within about a mile and a half of Columbia, by number of Google reviews. "Must visit" means 4.6 stars or better from 500+ reviews.

Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee Shop · $ · 5755 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
5.0
4 reviews · 1 mi
Qaffee House Food Truck
Coffee Shop · $ · 5840 Banneker Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.8
152 reviews · 1.1 mi
The Food Market Coffee
Cafe · $ · 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.7
23 reviews · 1.3 mi
Toastique
Cafe · $ · 6201 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.4
463 reviews · 1.1 mi
ROCO Kitchen + Coffee
Breakfast Restaurant · $ · 6430 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.4
120 reviews · 0.4 mi
Mad City Coffee
Coffee Shop · $ · 10801 Hickory Ridge Rd #101, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.3
806 reviews · 0.7 mi
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Juice Shop · $ · 10730 Little Patuxent Pkwy Ste 3B, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.3
64 reviews · 1.1 mi
Dunkin'
Coffee Shop · $ · 10430 Shaker Dr Ste 100, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
4.1
437 reviews · 1.2 mi
Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee Shop · $ · 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.0
100 reviews · 1 mi
Kung Fu Tea
Tea House · 10100 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
4.4
516 reviews · 1.4 mi

Schools within 5 miles.

Public and private schools from the U.S. Department of Education, closest first.

Elementary

Middle

High

Public / private

47 / 17

Closest schools

Wilde Lake Middle
public · middle · grades 06–08
0.2 mi
Wilde Lake High
public · high · grades 09–12
0.4 mi
Swansfield Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
0.6 mi
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL
private · elementary
0.6 mi
Bryant Woods Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
0.8 mi
BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE
private · elementary
0.9 mi
Longfellow Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
0.9 mi
Harpers Choice Middle
public · middle · grades 06–08
0.9 mi
FUSION COLUMBIA
private · high
1.2 mi
Clemens Crossing Elementary
public · elementary · grades KG–05
1.4 mi
Running Brook Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
1.5 mi
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY
private · other
1.6 mi

Source: NCES Common Core of Data and Private School Survey.

Weather and air in Columbia.

Air quality

58 AQI

Moderate

Current reading

PM2.5

9.7 µg/m³

Over the EPA standard

EPA annual standard: 9 µg/m³

We couldn't load climate data for this area right now. Please try again in a moment.

Weather and air quality from Open-Meteo.

Who lives in 21044.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022 5-year estimates.

Population

45,100

City size

Median age

39.6

A mix of ages

U.S. average 38.9

Household income

$123,658

Upper-middle incomes

U.S. average $74,580

Home value

$514,400

Established market

U.S. average $281,900

Rent

$1,923/mo

City-level rents

U.S. average $1,402/mo

Own their home

60.4%

Mostly homeowners

U.S. average 64.7%

Bachelor's or higher

66.7%

Highly educated

U.S. average 35.4%

Commute

30.6 min

Typical commute

U.S. average 26.4 min

How Howard County voted

Presidential elections, share of all votes cast in the county.

2024Latest
Harris
68.4%
Trump
27.1%
Other
4.4%
Nationwide: Harris 48.3%, Trump 49.8%
2020
Biden
70.7%
Trump
26.4%
Other
2.9%
Nationwide: Biden 51.3%, Trump 46.8%
2016
Clinton
63.3%
Trump
29.3%
Other
7.5%
Nationwide: Clinton 48.2%, Trump 46.1%

Source: MIT Election Data and Science Lab, County Presidential Election Returns 2000-2024. County-wide results, not this ZIP alone.

Moving to Columbia 21044: what to know.

Townhouse and HOA communities often limit where a moving truck can park, and for how long. Check your HOA rules for both homes before moving day.
Apartment and condo buildings usually ask for a certificate of insurance and a reserved freight elevator or loading dock time. Ask your building early, for both the old place and the new one.
The Beltway, I-270 and I-95 make moving-day timing hard to predict. With a flat rate, traffic costs you time, not money.

Local moves in 21044 start at $240 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $780 for a 2-bedroom house. One flat rate, no deposit.

Get My Flat Rate Local movers →

FAQ

Columbia 21044,
questions answered.

Straight answers about 21044, from the same public data as the report above.

Talk with Red Cat

21044 scores 14.5 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index (above average walkable). There is 1 supermarket within a mile of the center of the ZIP; the closest is Giant Food, about 0.4 miles away.