2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, MD vs Clayton, MO

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Clayton or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Clayton is 27.2% less expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Clayton or Columbia?
- Clayton housing costs are 84.0% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Clayton.
- Health related expenses are 10.6% more in Clayton.
 Columbia, MDClayton, MOUnited States
 Overall  Unlock93.1100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock95.7100
 Housing142.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$698,800$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock83.0100
 Miscellaneous151.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Columbia    28 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbia

Reviews for Clayton    3 Reviews

St Louis summers are hot and humid...Fall and spring are not very friendly to people with allergies.. Winter is  More

   |    Reply

The weather in St Louis can be hot and humid in the summer. Cold in the  More

   |    Reply

St. Louis in general has an extremely affordable cost of living. Housing is under the nat'l average, as is gasoline. Food, restaurants and entertainment is all  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Clayton


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.