Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Columbus?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).

Columbia vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,220 in Columbia, SC versus $1,090 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 2% higher in Columbus, GA. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$802

$826

+3% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$875

+15% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$991

+15% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,221

+9% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$182,300

+25% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$56,622

+2% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$43,540

+6% in Columbia, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

35.1 yr

+6.4 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

47.3%

50.2%

+2.9 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

29.7%

+16.4 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

20.2 min

+2.8 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

612.3

+20% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

2,273.4

+30% 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

64.9°F

65.7°F

+0.8°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.8 in

+1.4 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

16.4

+5% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$38.60

+33% 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 (SC / GA)

+2.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

5.19%

+0.8 pp in SC

Columbia vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Columbus?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).