Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $33,000 in Montgomery.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Montgomery?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Montgomery Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio

$802

$864

+8% in Montgomery, AL

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$831

+19% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$982

+16% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,172

+12% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$148,500

+39% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$55,687

+0% in Montgomery, AL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$44,950

+3% in Columbia, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

36.2 yr

+7.5 yr in Montgomery, AL

Homeownership

47.3%

54.3%

+7.0 pp in Montgomery, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

33.5%

+12.6 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

20.5 min

+3.1 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

605.5

+21% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

2,258.3

+31% 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

65.1°F

+0.2°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

53.1 in

+7.7 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Columbia, SC

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

16.4

+5% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$24.06

+17% 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 / AL)

+2.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

5.00%

+1.0 pp in SC

Columbia vs Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Montgomery?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Montgomery?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Montgomery?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).