Columbia vs Hillsboro: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbia, MD and Hillsboro, OR, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Columbia, MD | Hillsboro, OR |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,600 | 106,612 |
| Median household income | $124,537 | $98,891 |
| Median home value | $458,700 | $452,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,895 | $1,797 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Columbia, MD and Hillsboro, OR comes down to what you value most. Hillsboro has the lower median home value, and Hillsboro 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 Columbia or Hillsboro?
- By median home value, Hillsboro is the cheaper of the two ($452,300 vs $458,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Columbia or Hillsboro?
- Median household income is $124,537 in Columbia versus $98,891 in Hillsboro, per the US Census Bureau.