Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbia?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 26% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$802

+32% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,026

+18% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,164

+17% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,338

+14% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$243,500

+23% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$55,653

+26% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,430

+15% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

28.7 yr

+7.0 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

47.3%

+1.8 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

46.1%

+2.8 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

33.5 min

17.4 min

+16.1 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

769.9

+43% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,265.1

+6% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

64.9°F

+12.2°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

45.4 in

+7.4 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.6

+22% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$29.07

+47% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Columbia, SC

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / SC)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.00%

+1.0 pp in SC

Chicago vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbia?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).