Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Columbia?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Columbia?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Columbia?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 36% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$802

+27% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,026

+2% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,164

+2% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,338

+19% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$243,500

+6% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$55,653

+36% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$46,430

+7% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

28.7 yr

+7.4 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

47.3%

+18.2 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

46.1%

+12.7 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

20.8 min

17.4 min

+3.4 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

769.9

+664% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

1,149.4

3,265.1

+184% in Columbia, SC

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

64.9°F

+13.8°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

45.4 in

+14.8 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Columbia, SC

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

15.6

+17% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$29.07

+45% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Columbia, SC

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / SC)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

6.00%

+1.5 pp in SC

Bellevue vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Columbia?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Columbia?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% 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).