Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

© 2026 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceMethodologySitemap

Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

ColumbiavsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Columbia to Boston will cost approximately $257,672 more on median home prices (49.5% higher). Monthly rent is $1,074 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 4.6% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
49.5% more
Rent
49.5% more
View ColumbiaView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbia, MD

Median Home Price$520,757
Monthly Rent$2,170
Median Income$96,138
Population103,467
Loading...
Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+49.5%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+49.5%
Median Income
$100,532+4.6%
Population669,469
Loading...

Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Columbia

2015$1,593
2020$1,750
2025$2,170

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Columbia

Housing$12,376
Food$6,344
Transport$13,060
Healthcare$7,146
Total$50,738

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

49.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$1,074
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
4.6%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbia

Population103,467
Median Age37.9 yrs
Violent Crime Rate435 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1522 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbia

435
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1522
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore ColumbiaExplore Boston

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Columbia?

Columbia is 49.5% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Columbia is $520,757 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Columbia averages $2,170. That's a difference of $1,074 per month, or $12,884 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 4.6% higher than Columbia's median of $96,138.

Which city is safer: Columbia or Boston?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 435 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Boston is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

Popular Comparisons

New York → PhiladelphiaLos Angeles → AustinSan Francisco → AustinChicago → PhoenixNew York → Los AngelesBoston → DenverSeattle → AustinSan Francisco → DenverLos Angeles → PhoenixNew York → AtlantaChicago → DallasWashington DC → CharlotteLos Angeles → SeattleSan Francisco → PortlandNew York → PhiladelphiaBoston → AustinChicago → NashvilleSan Diego → PhoenixDenver → AustinSeattle → Denver