2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, MD vs Poway, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Poway or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Poway is 21.1% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Poway or Columbia?
- Poway housing costs are 124.6% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Poway.
- Health related expenses are 2.9% more in Poway.
 Columbia, MDPoway, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing142.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,000,800$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock121.4100
 Miscellaneous151.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Columbia    28 Reviews

Over 5 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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Reviews for Poway    10 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Poway is a great place to live. People are friendly, neighbors watch out for each other. Great trails, beautiful views. Love to hear the birds. Family oriented. Yes  More

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Over 5 years ago

Moved here 37 years ago and love the birds singing in the morning, minimal traffic noise, and convenience to Carmel Mountain Ranch for shopping. Easy access to the  More

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I've lived here for 30 years. Back 30 years ago it was great. Small town, friendly people, etc. NOW Traffic is pretty bad but still better than most of SD county. I'm  More

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