21046 scores 14.4 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 0.7 miles away.

How far is the nearest Metro station from 21046?

The closest Metro station to the center of 21046 is Greenbelt, about 11.9 miles away in a straight line.

How much does it cost to live in 21046?

In 21046, median rent is $2,047 a month and the median home value is $436,400, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2022 5-year estimates.

How much does it cost to move to Columbia, MD 21046?

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 21046

Kings Contrivance and the southeastern edge of Columbia fill 21046, near the Route 32 and I-95 interchange and the Snowden River corridor. Housing runs from townhouse clusters to larger detached homes on cul-de-sacs, with plenty of shopping along Route 1 and Snowden River Parkway. MARC's Camden Line stops at Savage station nearby, a useful option for commutes toward DC or Baltimore.

Check another place

Columbia, MD 21046 at a glance.

ZIP 21046, Howard County. Tap a card for the details.

SafetyNo data for this ZIPSee the map
Walkability14.4Above average walkableEPA index, out of 20See the map
GroceryTrader Joe'sover 2 miWhole Foodsover 2 miMOM's Organicover 2 miSee the map
Restaurants17+popular spots2 must visitwithin 1.5 milesSee the list
Cafes5cafeswithin 1.5 milesSee the list
Schools64schoolswithin 5 miles · 47 public, 17 privateSee the list
Climate & AirComing soonSee the weather
People15,894residentsmedian household income $125,280See the data

Top picks near 21046

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

Cazbar - ColumbiaMust visit
Turkish Restaurant · $$ · 9400 Snowden River Pkwy Ste 122, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.6
3,490 reviews · 0.4 mi
Chutney Indian RestaurantMust visit
Indian Restaurant · $$ · 9400 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.6
1,369 reviews · 0.3 mi
Grotto Pizza
Pizza Restaurant · $ · 7075 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
4.2
1,561 reviews · 0.2 mi
An Loi
Vietnamese Restaurant · $ · 7104 Minstrel Way STE 9, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.4
1,207 reviews · 0.2 mi
Ledo Pizza
Pizza Restaurant · $ · 6955 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.4
1,081 reviews · 0.9 mi
The Occasional Café
Cafe · $ · 8975 Guilford Rd #170, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
5.0
14 reviews · 0.7 mi

Reported crime around 21046.

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 21046.

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

6 grocery stores and 0 Metro stations within 2 miles of 21046

Grocery store
Metro station

Nearest grocery stores

Giant Food7200 Cradlerock Way, Columbia0.7 mi
Harris Teeter8620 Guilford Rd, Columbia1.1 mi
B Js Wholesale Club9011 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia1.4 mi
Wegmans8855 Mcgaw Rd, Columbia1.5 mi
Punjab Market And Halal Meat6490 Dobbin Rd, Columbia1.7 mi
Walmart6405 Dobbin Rd, Columbia1.9 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 21046. 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, 0.7 mi

Nearest Metro station

11.9 mi

A short drive or bus ride

Greenbelt

EPA Walkability Index

14.4 / 20

Above average walkable

Average of 7 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 21046.

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.

Cazbar - ColumbiaMust visit
Turkish Restaurant · $$ · 9400 Snowden River Pkwy Ste 122, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.6
3,490 reviews · 0.4 mi
Chutney Indian RestaurantMust visit
Indian Restaurant · $$ · 9400 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.6
1,369 reviews · 0.3 mi
An Loi
Vietnamese Restaurant · $ · 7104 Minstrel Way STE 9, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.4
1,207 reviews · 0.2 mi
Ledo Pizza
Pizza Restaurant · $ · 6955 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.4
1,081 reviews · 0.9 mi
Grotto Pizza
Pizza Restaurant · $ · 7075 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
4.2
1,561 reviews · 0.2 mi
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Fast Food Restaurant · $ · 9071 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
4.2
1,147 reviews · 1.2 mi
Taco Bell
Fast Food Restaurant · $ · 7102 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.0
1,800 reviews · 0.1 mi
McDonald's
Fast Food Restaurant · $ · 7244 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
3.5
1,008 reviews · 0.8 mi
The Corner Stable
American Restaurant · $$ · 8630 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
4.1
1,429 reviews · 1.2 mi
Hunan Manor
Chinese Restaurant · $$ · 7091 Deepage Dr, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.0
1,568 reviews · 0.3 mi

The most popular coffee near 21046.

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.

The Occasional Café
Cafe · $ · 8975 Guilford Rd #170, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
5.0
14 reviews · 0.7 mi
Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee Shop · $ · 7090 Deepage Dr, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.2
784 reviews · 0.2 mi
Dunkin'
Coffee Shop · $ · 7106 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
4.0
322 reviews · 0.2 mi
Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee Shop · $ · 8620 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
3.9
42 reviews · 1.2 mi
The Cafe at Canton Car Wash
Cafe · 7080 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
0.1 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

Hammond High
public · high · grades 09–12
0.4 mi
COLUMBIA ACADEMY
private · elementary
1.2 mi
Atholton Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
1.2 mi
Guilford Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
1.3 mi
Lake Elkhorn Middle
public · middle · grades 06–08
1.6 mi
Cradlerock Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
1.6 mi
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
private · other
1.7 mi
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC
private · elementary
1.7 mi
Murray Hill Middle
public · middle · grades 06–08
1.7 mi
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY
private · other
1.7 mi
Gorman Crossing Elementary
public · elementary · grades PK–05
1.8 mi
Atholton High
public · high · grades 09–12
1.9 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 21046.

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

Population

15,894

Suburban

Median age

37.7

A mix of ages

U.S. average 38.9

Household income

$125,280

Upper-middle incomes

U.S. average $74,580

Home value

$436,400

Established market

U.S. average $281,900

Rent

$2,047/mo

City-level rents

U.S. average $1,402/mo

Own their home

57.4%

Mostly homeowners

U.S. average 64.7%

Bachelor's or higher

60.6%

Well educated

U.S. average 35.4%

Commute

27.1 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 21046: 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 21046 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 21046,
questions answered.

Straight answers about 21046, from the same public data as the report above.

Talk with Red Cat

21046 scores 14.4 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 0.7 miles away.