Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
11% cheaper
Columbia is 11% more affordable than Boulder. A $75,000 salary in Boulder is equivalent to $66,892 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Maryland salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Columbia sits at 172 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $430,000 in Columbia, a difference of $320,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $1,900 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Columbia scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are higher than Columbia (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $112,738 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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