Two new studies name Columbia as the best place to raise a family in Maryland. The studies come from the websites WalletHub and Livability. WalletHub compared key metrics in 180 American cities, including the cost of housing and the quality of schools and healthcare systems. Livability studied places where most Americans create dream careers and launch businesses. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball says the news is a testament to the community’s investment in families and the overall quality of life.