Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
19% cheaper
Columbia is 19% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $61,111 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Maryland salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Columbia sits at 172 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $430,000 in Columbia, a difference of $190,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $1,900 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boston scores 108 while Columbia scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Columbia (101).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $112,738 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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