Burbank vs Columbia: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Burbank, CA and Columbia, MD, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricBurbank, CAColumbia, MD
Population106,389106,600
Median household income$91,455$124,537
Median home value$959,700$458,700
Median rent (/mo)$2,004$1,895

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Burbank, CA and Columbia, MD comes down to what you value most. Columbia has the lower median home value, and Columbia has the lower median rent.

Columbia has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Burbank or Columbia?
By median home value, Columbia is the cheaper of the two ($458,700 vs $959,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Burbank or Columbia?
Median household income is $91,455 in Burbank versus $124,537 in Columbia, per the US Census Bureau.

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