Cost of living in Columbia
compared to
Cost of living in Columbia vs. United States overall average
Columbia is 13.6% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 2.2% more in Columbia
- Groceries
-
pay 12.1% more in Columbia
- Transportation
-
pay 7.9% less in Columbia
- Housing
-
pay 14.8% more in Columbia
- Childcare
-
pay 42.8% more in Columbia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 4.1% more in Columbia
- Clothing
-
pay 27.2% more in Columbia
The cost of childcare, clothing, housing, groceries, entertainment and sports, and restaurants in Columbia are more expensive than in United States.
Columbia Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $20.00 |
$15.00
-
$25.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.25 |
$11.25
-
$12.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.42 |
$1.50
-
$4.72
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.21 |
$1.00
-
$3.50
|
Columbia - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.87 |
$1.10
-
$4.41
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $6.72 |
$3.50
-
$11.02
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $4.38 |
$2.00
-
$7.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$6.45 |
$1.50
-
$6.99
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $4.52 |
$1.99
-
$7.89
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $3.13 |
$1.00
-
$4.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.58 |
$0.49
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $3.20 |
$0.99
-
$5.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.45 |
$1.00
-
$3.50
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.25 |
$0.60
-
$2.50
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.50 |
$0.60
-
$2.00
|
Columbia - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.29 |
$2.92
-
$3.60
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $74.00 |
??
-
??
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $28,250.00 |
$25,300.00
-
$36,328.50
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $12.74 |
$12.74
-
$22.16
|
Columbia - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$75.00 |
$40.00
-
$114.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,100.00 |
$2,000.00
-
$2,200.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,850.00 |
$1,700.00
-
$2,000.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$140.62 |
$68.82
-
$237.06
|
Columbia - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,966.67 |
$950.00
-
$2,000.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $33,360.00 |
$30,000.00
-
$34,200.00
|
Columbia - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $6.00 |
$4.00
-
$7.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.04 |
$3.50
-
$6.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$11.00 |
$5.00
-
$11.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $50.00 |
??
-
??
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.25 |
$13.00
-
$23.00
|
Columbia - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$55.00 |
$25.00
-
$80.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$70.00 |
$25.00
-
$80.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$115.00 |
$70.00
-
$145.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $115.00 |
$60.00
-
$159.00
|
Columbia - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Maryland
to see the average cost of cities throughout Maryland, like
Salisbury,
College Park,
Hunt Valley,
Eldersburg,
Easton,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Columbia.
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