Living Cost Compare
Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 43% higher in South Burlington, VT. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$802
$1,557
+94% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,026
$1,533
+49% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,164
$1,805
+55% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,338
$2,356
+76% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$243,500
$399,600
+64% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$55,653
$97,229
+75% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,430
$60,020
+29% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
28.7 yr
38.8 yr
+10.1 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
47.3%
60.1%
+12.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.1%
65.1%
+19.0 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
17.4 min
18.9 min
+1.5 min in South Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
769.9
239.4
+69% in Columbia, SC
Property Crime
3,265.1
4,446
+36% in South Burlington, VT

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
46.0°F
+18.9°F in Columbia, SC
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
36.8 in
+8.6 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.6
24.4
+57% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.07
$26.07
+10% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in South Burlington, VT
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Columbia, SC
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / VT)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
6.00%
8.75%
+2.8 pp in VT

Columbia vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or South Burlington?
Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or South Burlington?
Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).