Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Davenport?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 14% higher in Davenport, IA. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$802

$726

+9% in Columbia, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$777

+24% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$962

+17% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,117

+17% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$162,900

+33% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$64,497

+16% in Davenport, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$48,550

+5% in Davenport, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

37.8 yr

+9.1 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

47.3%

63.0%

+15.7 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

30.0%

+16.1 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

18.7 min

+1.3 min in Davenport, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

581.4

+24% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

3,559.6

+9% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+15.6°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.0 in

+9.4 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Columbia, SC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

15.9

+2% in Davenport, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$22.16

+24% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Davenport, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbia, SC

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Davenport, IA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Davenport, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / IA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

3.80%

+2.2 pp in SC

Columbia vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Davenport?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).