Columbia, MD
Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data
Avg Salary
$67,517
across all roles
Cost Index
94
Below Average
Avg Rent
$1,450/mo
1-bed apartment
Affordability
6/10
Moderate Affordability
How affordable is Columbia?
Moderate Affordability
Purchasing power score: 1.65× (take-home ÷ living costs)
With a cost of living index of 94 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,566/mo, Columbia is a mid-tier cost market with reasonable affordability across most income levels.
Cost of Living Benchmarks
Cost Index
94
US avg = 100
Est. Monthly Rent
$1,450
1-bed, city avg
Avg Disposable
$1,566
after taxes + living costs
Median Salary
$58,845
across all tracked roles
Purchasing Power
1.65×
take-home ÷ costs
Jobs Tracked
2373
job titles with data
Highest-Paying Jobs in Columbia
By gross annual salary
- $246,619
- $245,361
- $243,649
- $239,308
- $236,656
- $236,642
- $234,242
- $230,811
- $222,051
- $219,335
Best Jobs for Disposable Income
After taxes and living costs
- $11,670/mo
- $11,593/mo
- $11,489/mo
- $11,225/mo
- $11,064/mo
- $11,063/mo
- $10,917/mo
- $10,708/mo
- $10,175/mo
- $10,010/mo
Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Columbia
These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.
Explore Columbia Further
All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.