Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Columbia?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 32% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$802

+21% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,026

+9% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,164

+13% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,338

+23% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$243,500

+47% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$55,653

+32% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$46,430

+5% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

28.7 yr

+9.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

47.3%

+15.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

46.1%

+0.5 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

17.4 min

+1.7 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

769.9

+156% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,265.1

+188% 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

52.5°F

64.9°F

+12.4°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

45.4 in

+33.7 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.6

+8% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$29.07

+157% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / SC)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

6.00%

+0.7 pp in SC

Boise vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Columbia?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).