Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Provo?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 11% higher in Provo, UT. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,009

+26% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$978

+5% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,128

+3% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,381

+3% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$437,100

+80% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$62,800

+13% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$48,010

+3% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

23.7 yr

+5.0 yr in Columbia, SC

Homeownership

47.3%

39.9%

+7.4 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

45.0%

+1.1 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

18.5 min

+1.1 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

205.7

+73% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

1,280.6

+61% 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

53.4°F

+11.5°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

19.8 in

+25.6 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

13.4

+14% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$11.84

+59% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

4.50%

+1.5 pp in SC

Columbia vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Provo?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).