Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Meridian?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Meridian?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 44% higher in Meridian, ID. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,523

+90% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$1,540

+50% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,489

+28% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,893

+41% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$485,000

+99% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$98,686

+77% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$49,100

+6% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

37.4 yr

+8.7 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

47.3%

76.1%

+28.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

44.4%

+1.7 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

22.3 min

+4.9 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

150.3

+80% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

583.5

+82% 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

52.5°F

+12.4°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

11.7 in

+33.7 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

14.4

+8% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$11.33

+61% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

5.30%

+0.7 pp in SC

Columbia vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Meridian?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Meridian?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).