Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Columbus?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Columbus?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 46% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$826

+33% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$875

+45% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$991

+47% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,221

+45% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$182,300

+64% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$56,622

+46% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$43,540

+26% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.1 yr

+5.8 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

50.2%

+9.6 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

29.7%

+24.0 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

20.2 min

+8.5 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

612.3

+24% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,273.4

+8% in Columbus, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

65.7°F

+8.6°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

—

46.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.8

+27% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$33.28

+76% in Columbus, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / GA)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.19%

+1.3 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Columbus?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).