Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Rochester?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 16% higher in Columbia, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$802

$750

+6% in Columbia, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$857

+16% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,114

+4% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,240

+7% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$120,600

+50% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$46,628

+16% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$51,210

+10% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.5 yr

+4.8 yr in Rochester, NY

Homeownership

47.3%

37.2%

+10.1 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

29.9%

+16.2 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

18.9 min

+1.5 min in Rochester, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

690

+10% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,265.1

3,533.4

+8% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+16.7°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

34.3 in

+11.1 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.13/gal

+5% in Rochester, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

29.5

+90% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$27.01

+7% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / NY)

+2.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

10.90%

+4.9 pp in NY

Columbia vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Rochester?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% 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).