Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Tacoma?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Tacoma?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Columbia vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 34% higher in Tacoma, WA. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,178

+47% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$1,332

+30% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$1,693

+45% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$2,094

+57% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$454,600

+87% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$83,857

+51% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$72,610

+56% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

37.3 yr

+8.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

47.3%

56.5%

+9.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

33.5%

+12.6 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

29.0 min

+11.6 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

1,064.4

+38% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,265.1

5,695.2

+74% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+12.8°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

43.0 in

+2.4 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.26/gal

+34% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

14.9

+4% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$21.34

+27% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbia, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

None

+6.0 pp in SC

Columbia vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Tacoma?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Tacoma?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax 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).