Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Riverside is 3% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $72,727 in Riverside.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Maryland salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 172 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $430,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Columbia versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 104 while Riverside scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (101) are lower than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $112,738 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Riverside.
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