Living Cost Compare
Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 46% higher in Overland Park, KS. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$802
$1,270
+58% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,026
$1,224
+19% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,164
$1,589
+37% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,338
$1,828
+37% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$243,500
$384,400
+58% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$55,653
$103,838
+87% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,430
$50,820
+9% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
28.7 yr
38.6 yr
+9.9 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
47.3%
61.5%
+14.2 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.1%
62.9%
+16.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
17.4 min
19.9 min
+2.5 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
769.9
188.4
+76% in Columbia, SC
Property Crime
3,265.1
1,790.5
+45% 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
55.2°F
+9.7°F in Columbia, SC
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
40.0 in
+5.4 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Columbia, SC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.6
15.7
+1% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.07
$25.12
+14% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Overland Park, KS
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Columbia, SC
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Overland Park, KS
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Overland Park, KS
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
6.00%
5.58%
+0.4 pp in SC

Columbia vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Overland Park?
Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Overland Park?
Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).