Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Memphis?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 8% higher in Columbia, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$802

$877

+9% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$948

+8% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,073

+8% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,281

+4% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$157,100

+35% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$51,211

+8% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$46,890

+1% in Memphis, TN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.3 yr

+5.6 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

47.3%

46.0%

+1.3 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

28.2%

+17.9 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

21.3 min

+3.9 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

2,507.6

+226% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,265.1

6,966.3

+113% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+1.8°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

53.7 in

+8.3 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Columbia, SC

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

14.1

+10% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$19.75

+32% 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 / TN)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

None

+6.0 pp in SC

Columbia vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Memphis?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).