Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Huntington?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 22% higher in Columbia, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$802

$762

+5% in Columbia, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$758

+26% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$881

+24% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,121

+16% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$118,800

+51% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$43,146

+22% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$44,600

+4% in Columbia, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.9 yr

+6.2 yr in Huntington, WV

Homeownership

47.3%

52.5%

+5.2 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

34.5%

+11.6 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

18.6 min

+1.2 min in Huntington, WV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

800.3

+4% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

3,265.1

3,617.9

+11% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+9.2°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

42.6 in

+2.8 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

15.4

+1% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$24.68

+15% in Columbia, SC

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 / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

4.82%

+1.2 pp in SC

Columbia vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Huntington?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).