Columbia, MD Cost of Living


28 Reviews



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Columbia cost of living score
127.9
More expensive
27.9% higher
than the US average
14.4% higher
than the Maryland average
Columbia, Maryland gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 127.9, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 27.9% higher than the U.S. average and 14.4% lower than the average for Maryland.

Columbia, MD

Housing costs in Columbia?
A typical home costs $441,800, which is 30.7% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 13.8% more expensive than the average Maryland home, at $388,100. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Columbia costs $2,020 per month, which is 41.3% more than the national average of $1,430 and 19.8% more than the state average of $1,620.

Can I afford Columbia?
To live comfortably in Columbia, Maryland, a minimum annual income of $84,600 for a family, and $65,600 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Columbia?
Columbia offers up an interesting option for those searching more economical living solutions located somewhere within Maryland's Baltimore area with median house prices ranging from the mid-$300s onwards and rental prices usually between $1,200 - 1,400 each month depending upon desired amenities - notably cheaper compared to other nearby cities like Ellicott City or Bethesda that are placed a bit further eastward. Groceries likewise hover slightly above US levels although not overly dramatic as it operates within a county that maintains consistent sales tax rates right around 6%.
   Cost of living score
     CategoriesColumbiaMarylandUnited States
  127.9111.8100.0
  104.5105.2100
  86.584.2100.0
  142.9124.1100.0
  $441,800$388,100$338,100
  109.7%105.6%100.0%
  107.9119.3100.0
  151.6112.5100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Columbia
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Over 4 years ago

Lived here for a while, beautiful opportunities, pays well, overall nice  More

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Been here 30 years was great at first but once they added a transit bus from baltimore to columbia 15-18 years ago that was the beginning of the end. And about 5 years  More

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Columbia can be described in one word: unequal. The neighborhood I live in, River Hill, is jam-packed with almost million-dollar homes, while the neighborhoods of Long  More

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