Columbia, Maryland has an overall cost of living index of 103.2, which is 3.2 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $2,042 per month, while the typical home is valued around $497,400. Households earn a median of $131,490 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$131,490
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$2,042
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$497,400
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
103.2
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,362
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,511
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,857
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,358
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
103.2
Goods
101.5
Rents / Housing
116.8
Services
110.1
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $151,370 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $97,130 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $72,670 |
| ⚡Electrician | $69,850 |
| 📊Accountant | $93,520 |
| 🔧Plumber | $68,310 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $232,520 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $106,560 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $127,880 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $78,020 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $152,310 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $58,560 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $148,640 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
104,338
Latest estimate
Median Age
39.4 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
53
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$2,070
Per month
Avg Home Value
$565,400
Census ACS
January Avg
34°F
July Avg
78°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.7
poor
Hospitals
1
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
95.4%
What is the cost of living index for Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 103.2. The US national average is 100, so Columbia is 3.2 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $2,042 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Columbia?
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490 per year.
What is the median home value in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $497,400 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Columbia?
Air quality data for Columbia is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Columbia?
Tax data for Maryland is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
