Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
29% cheaper
Rochester is 29% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $53,409 in Rochester.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Maryland salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 172 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $430,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $275,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Columbia versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 104 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (101) are higher than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $112,738 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Rochester.
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