2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, MD vs Vienna, VA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Vienna or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Vienna is 17.0% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Vienna or Columbia?
- Vienna 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 Vienna.
- Health related expenses are 18.0% more in Vienna.
 Columbia, MDVienna, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock149.7100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.1100
 Housing142.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$941,100$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.4100
 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 Vienna    14 Reviews

I grew up in Vienna, on a farm, and while the town has grown and changed quite a bit since those days, it still has a small town vibe and strong sense of community.  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Vienna, VA is a nice community and town, but it ain't cheap. As we have started looking for places to retire, I have found out that the property taxes we pay here are  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

Schools are very good. Our local school (Colvin Run),teaches to a high standard, offers lots of "specials" and has a strong character education program. My kids love  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Vienna


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.