Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Columbus?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, 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 $42,000 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 Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $65,327 in Columbus, OH — about 15% higher in Columbus, OH. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Columbus, OH

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,014

+26% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$1,059

+3% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,276

+10% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,369

+2% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$234,500

+4% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$65,327

+17% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$51,340

+11% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.0 yr

+4.3 yr in Columbus, OH

Homeownership

47.3%

44.3%

+3.0 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

38.2%

+7.9 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

21.8 min

+4.4 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

485.2

+37% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

3,093.9

+5% 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

52.7°F

+12.2°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

40.1 in

+5.3 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.80/gal

+4% in Columbia, SC

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

19.2

+23% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$22.83

+21% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbia, SC

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / OH)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

2.75%

+3.3 pp in SC

Columbia vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Columbus?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, 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 $42,000 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 Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).