Is Columbia expensive to live in?

Columbia is around the middle of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,026 per month ranks #87 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Columbia?

Average rent in Columbia, SC runs a studio around $802, a one-bedroom around $1,026, a two-bedroom around $1,164, a three-bedroom around $1,338 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Columbia?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,026 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year. The median household income here is $55,653.

How much does it cost to live in Columbia per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Columbia is about $1,220 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Columbia, SC

Population 138,019 · South Carolina

~$1,220/mo est.1BR $1,026Home $243,500

Photo: Karolina Bobek / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Columbia, SC is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,026 a month — about the same as the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $802 and two-bedrooms $1,164.

Median household income here is $55,653, 18% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,220 before food and transport. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,026

Studio

$802

1 Bedroom

$1,026

2 Bedroom

$1,164

3 Bedroom

$1,338

Buying a Home$243,500

Median Home Value

$243,500

Income$55,653

Median Household Income

$55,653

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.6¢/kWh

Electricity

15.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$29.07/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (SC)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.00%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime769.9 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

769.9

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,265.1

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Columbia Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 28.7 yrs

Median Age

28.7 yrs

Homeownership

47.3%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Climate64.9°F

Avg Annual Temperature

64.9°F

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

Columbia cost of living — FAQ

Is Columbia expensive to live in?: Columbia is around the middle of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,026 per month ranks #87 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Columbia?: Average rent in Columbia, SC runs a studio around $802, a one-bedroom around $1,026, a two-bedroom around $1,164, a three-bedroom around $1,338 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Columbia?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,026 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year. The median household income here is $55,653.
How much does it cost to live in Columbia per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Columbia is about $1,220 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Columbia with nearby cities

Columbia vs Augusta Columbia vs Charlotte Columbia vs Greenville Columbia vs Charleston Columbia vs Raleigh Columbia vs Atlanta

Nearby cities

Augusta, GA 67 mi Charlotte, NC 85 mi Greenville, SC 97 mi Charleston, SC 106 mi Raleigh, NC 183 mi Atlanta, GA 193 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.