2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Silver Spring, MD vs Columbia, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or is it cheaper to live in Silver Spring?
- Columbia is 36.9% less expensive than Silver Spring.

Which city has more affordable housing, Columbia or Silver Spring?
- Columbia housing costs are 65.6% less expensive than Silver Spring housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Silver Spring or is Health Care more affordable in Columbia.
- Health related expenses are 32.8% more in Columbia.
 Silver Spring, MDColumbia, SCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.4100
 Food & Groceries112.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.3100
 Housing170.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$204,100$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock76.4100
 Miscellaneous146.1  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 Silver Spring    18 Reviews

Growing up in Silver Spring, my family and I have been residents for the better part of 25 years. Although some of the development has been great (Discovery Channel, new  More

   |    Reply

What a delightful school! The first time we drove up to the school, our first impression was of the charming shaded playground with wooden structures and surrounding  More

   |    Reply

What a delightful school! The first time we drove up to the school, our first impression was of the charming shaded playground with wooden structures and surrounding  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Silver Spring

Reviews for Columbia    50 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I love living in Columbia! I recently graduated from USC and plan to stay. I read the reviews posted here and it shows that like many cities, your experience will depend  More

   |    Reply

Loved living in Columbia, SC prior to my job transfer. It's the perfect size - plenty to do, but still a laid back place. People are extremely friendly, there are  More

   |    Reply

Columbia is such a unique and underrated place. It has a lot of character and history, and good nature trails. Everything feels accessible (by car) and you can get from  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbia


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.