Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Newark?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Newark?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 13% higher in Columbia, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,111

+39% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$978

+5% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,386

+19% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,695

+27% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$337,800

+39% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$48,416

+13% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$61,430

+32% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.8 yr

+6.1 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

47.3%

24.1%

+23.2 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

17.4%

+28.7 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

33.2 min

+15.8 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

582.5

+24% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

1,961.8

+40% 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

54.9°F

+10.0°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.3 in

+0.9 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

24.9

+60% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$17.68

+39% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / NJ)

6.625%

+0.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

10.75%

+4.8 pp in NJ

Columbia vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Newark?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Newark?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).